Podcasts about ccrm

In this episode, Lindsay Bonilla, CPM® and CCRM® , senior regional property manager at Greystar talks to us about the rapidly growing market of mixed-use properties. Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.

#278: How well do you understand fertility?In this bonus episode, I sit down with Dr. Amanda Adeleye of Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM) to break down the biggest myths about reproductive health, from egg quality to the male factor in fertility. We explore how aging, social stigmas, and today's political landscape impact fertility choices from our 20s to our 40s.Whether you're considering egg freezing or just want to take charge of your reproductive health, this conversation is packed with essential insights!We Also Talk About…The difference between fertility and infertility—and the signs to look for.Common reasons why some people struggle to conceive.How egg quality impacts fertility.The effects of endometriosis on fertility and reproductive health.How to determine if egg-freezing is right for you.What to expect from fertility treatments like IVF.Resources:Check out my new brand Spacious Rituals and get your virtual planner for 2025!Subscribe to my Substack, Balance with LesLearn more about CCRM's offerings and find a clinic near youFollow Dr. Amanda on InstagramFor more information on fertility, treatment, and reproductive health visit www.ccrmivf.comKeep in touch with Balanced Black Girl:Shop limited-edition Balanced Black Girl merchWatch on YouTube @BalancedBlackGirlFollow on IG: @balancedles @balancedblackgirlpodcastFollow on TikTok @balancedlesVisit our website at balancedblackgirl.comSponsors:CCRM | Visit CCRMivf.com to learn more about fertility preservation.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's episode Kenzie sits down with fertility doctor, Dr Bayer of CCRM to chat all things fertility health. They're going in depth on egg freezing, fertility health, the reality of pregnancy, IVF & CCRM. Enjoy! BLOG: https://kenzieelizabeth.coNIGHT CAP CARDS: https://www.shopfriendofmine.comSHOP MERCH OUT NOW: https://shop.dearmedia.com/collections/ilysmSECRET FACEBOOK PAGE: https://bit.ly/2zEx3BMJOIN OUR GENEVA GROUP CHAT: https://links.geneva.com/invite/ab361e92-0405-41ad-9e12-b17b592365bcJOIN THE MAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/2uumkusKenzie's Channel: https://youtube.com/kenzieelizabethKenzie's IG: https://bit.ly/298RzRnKenzie's Twitter: https://bit.ly/2RdtJsEHG IG: https://bit.ly/2vlwxXyHG YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/2UQ8DUjKEBOOK CLUB: https://www.instagram.com/kebookclub/This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Visit CCRMivf.com to learn more about fertility preservation.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Colton sits down with Dr. Levine from CCRM fertility to discuss the science behind family building. To learn more about CCRM Fertility visit www.ccrmivf.com. This episode was shot by Eleanor Matthews, edited by Patchwork Piñata and Produced by Avery Siegel. Original theme song by Jon the Dad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does someone go from CCRM to one of the big fertility networks in Australia? What can fertility executives in the US and other countries learn from the consolidation that happened earlier in Australia? How does the Australian fertility market compare to the US? Find out on this week's podcast as Scott Portnoy, COO of Genea Fertility, gives an in-depth look at the current climate of the Australian fertility space. Tune in as Scott discusses the Australian perspective about: Where Australia is ahead of the US with Fertility (And where it's behind) Fellowship & training practices (And how it's impacting their doctor shortage) Donor and surrogacy regulations in the fertility market Fertility Networks going public (And why that may have happened sooner in Australia) The private equity backed consolidation in fertility (Foreshadowing what may happen in the States)

I'm sure you've been hearing a lot about egg quality if you're searching the internet and trying to figure out how you can improve your fertility health.   In this episode, I'm going to be talking about what egg quality is and four different ways that you can improve it. So egg quality refers to not only the chromosomal health, but it also corresponds to something called mitochondrial health.    I will be covering: What contributes to egg quality Ways you can improve egg quality Why the digestive system is so important Research that shows certain exercises that improve mitochondrial function My fertility book “The Way of Fertility” is going to launch soon and I would love to have you on the launch team!!! You'll get to read it first! The application is more formality! https://www.michelleoravitz.com/TWOF-launch-team-application Be sure to tune in!   For more information about Michelle, visit www.michelleoravitz.com   The Wholesome FertilityFacebook group is where you can find free resources and support:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/2149554308396504/   Instagram: @thewholesomelotusfertility   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewholesomelotus/           Transcript:   [00:00:00] So I'm sure you've been hearing a lot about egg quality, especially if you're searching the internet and trying to figure out how you can improve your fertility health. And you've probably even seen the book, It Starts With The Egg, which I highly recommend if you haven't already read it, it has amazing, amazing information. And today I'm going to be talking about what egg quality is and four different ways that you can improve it.   So egg quality refers to how chromosomally normal an egg is. And it also, besides just the chromosomes, it also corresponds to something called mitochondrial health. And mitochondria is It's an organelle in the cell, so it's basically a part of a cell, and it's considered the powerhouse that produces something called ATP, and ATP are basically energy units. And through ATP and the energy, if you [00:01:00] want to compare it to Chinese medicine speak, it really comes down to qi.   It's like life force vitality, basically, and how do we produce it? I will talk about that and how to really protect it and support it. So. So Chinese medicine, we talk a lot about qi and a lot about the energy and a lot of the ways that we do support qi. One of the ways is through nutrition. So there's many different ways to really support it. And it's found that mitochondrial health declines with age, as well as oxidative stress. So, you'll find a lot of times oxidative stress increases with age.   So, a lot of the anti aging market focuses antioxidants. So antioxidants basically means that it's protecting the cells from oxidative stress. And the mitochondria really is at the heart of it. And the mitochondria can be [00:02:00] protected through these antioxidants. So the antioxidants can protect the mitochondria. And then it provides more energy units in the cells. And then when that is the case, it will help the cells to develop more correctly. So it'll give the energy basically to the cells to fix themselves. So even eggs that end up being really good quality, they're not necessarily always perfect. It's just that if it has a lot of energy And it is able to basically correct itself.   So that's why there's always this kind of controversy with checking or testing embryos because sometimes they can start out not being 100 percent normal. But part of the process that it goes through is that as it grows, it can normalize itself. And in order to do that, it really has to have robust energy to do so. So in a sense, really, technically speaking, you can actually. [00:03:00] Decrease or reverse your biological age through choices that you make with your nutrition, with your lifestyle, with the movements you choose, the exercise you have, and your mindset. Lowering stress. I mean, there's many different things that you can do to improve your overall energy and I'm going to be talking a little bit about chi and mitochondria because it's kind of like one in the same. It's just described in a different way. So there are definitely things that you can do to support it. So I'm going to be covering four and number one. Okay. It all starts with nutrition. Nutrition is really important when it comes to Chinese medicine. The spleen and the stomach have a very important role and they play a role in the digestive system.   And each organ or organ pair has a direction. And in Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach are in the center. [00:04:00] So a lot of different ones will be like east, west, south, north. And The spleen and stomach are the center, and that is actually very symbolic because they're really the center and the heart of everything as far as post Heaven qi, which is basically the energy that we have and create after we're born.   The pre Heaven qi, and I've talked about this before in past episodes, is all about genetics. However, now in modern day science, we know that there's something called epigenetics and our choices and what we do with our food choices and our lifestyle choices can impact how our genes express themselves. So the same way that it impacts how our genes express itself, it also impacts the genetic protection of our cells.   Our cells are just tiny little versions of ourselves. And a lot of those make up who we are. [00:05:00] So it really comes down to our cellular expression. So if we can do that for our own cells, of course, the important cell is our egg cell. But it also for men is the sperm cell. So a lot of what I'm saying for women. does actually also apply to men with sperm health.   So nutrition is very, very important when it comes to fertility health and protecting our egg health and supporting it because number one, it is really the source of where we get our chi. It's the source of where a woman builds blood and both of those are really important when it comes to fertility health because reproductive health requires a lot of energy.   And the proof to it is that egg cells have hundreds of thousands of more mitochondria than regular cells. Regular cells can have a couple of thousand, [00:06:00] depending on the importance of the cells. So the heart cells a little bit more than a regular cell in the body, but an egg cell has the most. We're talking really, really a lot of mitochondria because it's important for it to be equipped with a ton of energy in order to produce new life. And this is why I always talk about The energy that a person has is really, really important. And when a person's energy stores are depleted, it can impact fertility health because the body's not going to prioritize reproduction.   It's going to prioritize survival. And I say this over and over again, because it is such an important point to keep in mind. So when it comes to eating, it's important to really consider number one, your gut health and eating more antioxidants and. I'm kind of throwing in an extra one, the gut health, the gut health really is a reflection of your spleen and stomach condition and it's important because everything that I'm going to be talking about really, as far as the [00:07:00] nutrition goes, depends on your gut health.   So if the gut health is optimal, it's able to really transform the food into energy. So number one, Eat more antioxidants. So antioxidant rich foods are super important. So I'm going to give you a couple of examples of antioxidant rich foods. So something you probably have heard before, a lot of people talk about it, but things like berries are probably higher on the antioxidant level. When it comes to fruits, so things like strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, you know, all those dark colors and pigments in the food come from antioxidants, so berries are really important, but then also ones that are not as common, things like acai, tea, tea, Has been shown actually in CCRM.   They have their own acai Supplement and they did a study to show that it improves egg quality. So that's really [00:08:00] huge and that's something that you can include in your diet and then foods rich in beta Carotene such as carrots and sweet potatoes are really important and dark leafy greens so you'll see like dark leafy greens such as spinach And chards, and also beets are really important. Now, keep in mind too, beets are root vegetables, and what does that mean? They grow in the earth, and earth is an element that is connected to the spleen and stomach. Earth also has spore based probiotics. And that's actually where spore based probiotics come from, comes from the soil.   So that's really, really important if you want to help nourish that energy of digestion. So beets are really important and they also give a groundedness to your energetic being. So you really do feel more grounded. When it comes to Ayurvedic medicine, they always talk about the different doshas that [00:09:00] people have, doshas or body types, and they also have elements.   And the dosha that is vata, which is a little bit more air, it doesn't have as much grounding benefits from something like beats because they are getting more earth energy. So earth energy is always going to support your spleen and stomach, which is always going to support the wellbeing of your digestive system.   Another thing that has tremendous amounts of antioxidants is dark chocolate. So you can get raw cacao that is not processed. And that doesn't have added sugar or dairy, and you can mix it in and make certain foods that are healthier that don't have sugar. So there are ways to get it without having to get the sugar, which you'll typically find in like chocolate bars or more chocolate.  Then something that is often skipped is animal proteins or animal sources of antioxidants. So wild salmon is very [00:10:00] rich in antioxidants. And beef liver as well, which is high in vitamin A and also is a great source of CoQ10. So getting that antioxidant rich diet is really going to support egg health and It's going to support the mitochondria.    So, number two, is really exercise, but I'm going to focus a little bit more on yoga and just a little note about exercise and movement. Yes, exercise and movement is super important when it comes to getting your energy and the chi and also supporting mitochondrial function. But it's important to note that too much exercise can have an adverse effect on your mitochondria and too little movement.   It also has an adverse effect. So it's really important to keep it balanced. And one of the best ways to do that is through yoga. I'm a big fan of yoga. Yoga has been around for thousands of years. It also incorporates breath work, which is important to support [00:11:00] ATP production, but I'm going to talk about that in a bit.   And yoga. Also helps calm the nervous system, which also helps our bodies rest deeper so that they're able to create more energy. And there's been studies that show that yoga can improve mitochondrial health and not just that, but it also has been shown to reduce autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. So if it's able to reduce inflammation through arthritis, think about What else it can do? It could probably do that with a lot of other things and especially The fact that it is able to help with the autoimmune specifically inflammatory arthritis and what I've seen is that when you're working on the nervous system, you can also work on the immune system and regulating your nervous system is important to support your immune system as well and how it functions because our [00:12:00] bodies really have these signals and those signals do speak to our bodies or our cells And our cells communication, when it's confused between our bodies versus something else outside of us, that's information. It's our cells information and how it processes it and how it translates it.   So if our nervous system, which is really a communication system in our body is regulated it would really impact your immune system as well and how your body processes information and what it perceives as either friendly or unfriendly. And when it gets regulated, it makes sense that yoga would help with that as well and calm it down. Because since it calms the nervous system, I find it fascinating that it's also calming an inflammatory arthritis that is derived from an autoimmune condition. So [00:13:00] this can also be due to the fact that when you're doing yoga, you're also breathing because a lot of times you inhale to certain poses and exhale to certain poses.    So yoga is a great way to truly balance the body, but it also can help with mitochondrial health, which reflects in egg quality. So number three ATP which is the energy units in mitochondria are actually produced, with the help of oxygen. So breath work can also help. And I highly recommend something called the breath of fire. And the breath of fire is very difficult to explain through the podcast. So what you could do is you can actually just YouTube, look in YouTube and see, because then you'll have a lot of people describing what it is, but it's a diaphragmatical breath that you do for a long time.   You can do it [00:14:00] from either a minute to five minutes. Some yogis do it for a very long time. And what it does is it helps your digestive system. It's called skull shining because it also creates clarity in the mind. And it helps in the area of the abdomen, which is, well, the location of the eggs in the uterus. So digestive system and the pelvis, they're very similar, very close together. And they also work really well together. So they're important. And a lot of times when I have people come in for acupuncture, I treat both.    When I treat the abdomen, I put points for both digestive system, as well as reproductive health in the pelvic area. If you don't want to do breath of fire necessarily, that's okay. You don't have to necessarily do a specific type of pranayama. All you have to do just to make a difference is to breathe really deeply in and out consciously. And you can do that for a few minutes where you're breathing all the [00:15:00] way in. Holding your breath and then breathing all the way out slowly. And you can count, count it to anywhere from four seconds to eight seconds, or as much as you're able to, to slow down your breath, but also to increase its capacity. So you're kind of increasing the lungs capacity to support oxygenation.   What I also suggest is to do this outside if you can, to really do this with. Outdoor air that makes a big difference. There's a quality in outdoor air that cannot be beat and you're getting like fresh oxygen Preferably if that outdoor air is in a place where there's lots of green And trees and you're getting quality oxygen and finally number four is sunlight, specifically early morning sunlight. So sunlight is amazing for many different reasons, but number one, it improves vitamin D levels, which are super important for mitochondrial [00:16:00] activity and function and deficiency of vitamin D has been linked to unexplained infertility, as well as recurrent miscarriages, which would make sense that. To be deficient in vitamin D is probably impacting the quality of the egg and the sperm. So this is good for both men and women. Really everything that I'm mentioning here can also be applied to sperm health as well.   So, sunlight not only improves vitamin D, but it also increases the production of cellular melatonin. So, melatonin, often we hear as the sleep hormone, however, it also works as an incredible antioxidant, very potent in the cells. And that antioxidant in the cells has been shown to help with Improved mitochondrial function, And it's also found in the follicular fluid, which is produced by the ovarian and granulosa cells. [00:17:00] And melatonin seems to play an important role in the regulation of follicular development and ovarian function. So obviously plays a very important role , when it comes to egg quality.   So that concludes the four top ways that you can improve your egg quality and I really wanted to, in this episode, explain to you really what it is, what egg quality is as best as possible in a way that you can understand that it really comes down to anti aging. And so the same things that people would use for anti aging could benefit egg quality.   And obviously those are just four, but there's so many other things that you can do to improve your egg quality. So I hope you enjoyed this episode and if you want more information and perhaps get some more free fertility content. You could visit my Instagram, which I'm very active there.   And my handle is at thewholesomelotusfertility. And if you [00:18:00] do like these episodes and are enjoying this, podcast. I would really love it if you can rate and review this podcast on Apple music. And if you think somebody can benefit from it, please do share.   So thank you so much for tuning in today, and I hope you have a beautiful day.

El Dr. Jorge Gallardo, oncólogo médico, Coordinador de Oncología Médica en la Clínica INDISA en Providencia, Santiago de Chile junto con la Dra. Marytere Herrera Martínez, oncóloga médica adscrita a la Unidad de Tumores Gastrointestinales del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, en la Ciudad de México, México nos hablan sobre los estudios más relevantes presentados durante el Simposio de Cánceres Gastrointestinales 2024 :   Tubo digestivo KEYNOTE 590: resultado a 5 años del estudio fase III, aleatorizado, doble ciego, que evaluó el uso de pembrolizumab en combinación con quimioterapia (QT) con cisplatino y 5-fluorouracilo vs. placebo + QT como tratamiento de primera línea en pacientes con cáncer esofágico avanzado metastásico. MATTERHORN: estudio fase III, aleatorizado, doble ciego que evaluó el tratamiento de durvalumab o placebo neoadyuvante-adyuvante y QT FLOT (fluorouracilo + leucovorina + oxaliplatino + docetaxel) seguido de durvalumab o placebo adyuvante en pacientes con cáncer resecable de la unión gástrica y gastroesofágica. KEYNOTE 585: estudio fase III, aleatorizado, doble ciego, el cual comparó pembrolizumab perioperatorio más QT vs. placebo perioperatorio más QT en pacientes con cáncer en la unión gástrica o gastroesofágica localmente avanzada. Cabe destacar que se realizó una cohorte en donde se evaluó pembrolizumab + FLOT y los resultados mostraron un aumento en las respuestas patológicas completas con pembrolizumab perioperatorio más FLOT vs. FLOT solo. Tumores neuroendocrinos NETTER-2: estudio fase III, multicéntrico, aleatorizado y abierto que evaluó la eficacia y seguridad de Lu-177 dotatate en combinación con octreótido en pacientes con tumores neuroendocrinos gastroenteropancreáticos (TNE-GEP) con altas tasas de proliferación (G2 y G3). Se observaron mejoras significativas en la supervivencia libre de progresión con la combinación vs. octreótido en dosis elevadas. Carcinoma hepatocelular EMERALD-1: estudio fase III, global, aleatorizado, doble ciego, controlado con placebo que evaluó el uso de durvalumab + quimioembolización transarterial (TACE, por sus siglas en inglés) concurrente, seguido de durvalumab con o sin bevacizumab hasta la progresión, en comparación con TACE solo en pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) irresecable elegibles para embolización. Cáncer colorrectal CheckMate-8HW: estudio fase III, abierto, en el cual se observó una mejora en el objetivo primario de supervivencia libre de progresión (SLP) con la combinación de nivolumab + ipilimumab vs. la QT elegida por el investigador (mFOLFOX-6 o FOLFIRI con o sin bevacizumab/cetuximab) en el tratamiento de 1L para los pacientes con cáncer colorrectal metastásico (CCRm) con inestabilidad de microsatélites alta (MSI-H, por sus siglas en inglés) o deficiencia en la reparación de emparejamiento (dMMR, por sus siglas en inglés). BESPOKE: estudio de cohorte observacional, prospectivo y multicéntrico en el cual se inscribió un total de 2000 pacientes en etapa I-IV y se realizó un seguimiento de los mismos durante un máximo de 2 años con análisis seriados de ctDNA programados con las visitas de atención estándar. Fecha de grabación: 24 de enero de 2024.               Todos los comentarios emitidos por los participantes son a título personal y no reflejan la opinión de ScienceLink u otros. Se deberá revisar las indicaciones aprobadas en el país para cada uno de los tratamientos y medicamentos comentados. Las opiniones vertidas en este programa son responsabilidad de los participantes o entrevistados, ScienceLink las ha incluido con fines educativos. Este material está dirigido a profesionales de la salud exclusivamente.

Struggling with disbelief, enduring back-to-back treatments, cancelled appointments, and an overwhelming emotional toll - these experiences are all part of Sonya Heer's journey to building a family. How did she get here? Sonya and her husband embarked on what most couples do: they got married, spent some quality time together, and then wanted to expand their family. But, after months of not having success, Sonya turned to a specialist where she was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. This left Sonya with more questions, but she persevered and continued treatment. After more rounds, she realized there must be something else to her diagnosis.  In this episode, hear how Sonya navigated her journey, how she advocated for herself and found the right doctor, how unexplained infertility turned into diminished ovarian reserve, and why despite it all she continued. Sonya also shares the stress of paying for treatment and the difference when she gained access to a comprehensive family building benefit through her employer.  Guest: Sonya Heer, Progyny Member  Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny     For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.  

Lloyed Lobo is the co-founder of Boast.ai and the author of Wall Street Journal best-selling book From Grassroots to Greatness. After escaping the Gulf War as a child and seeing the power of community in helping navigate impossible situations he ended up on a path of entrepreneurship and community building. He is a husband and the father of three kids. In this episode we discuss: His childhood as a Gulf War refugee His mother's influence on his entrepreneurship Losing one of his twins The power of community in raising a family Positive discipline and other parenting frameworks How his daughter helped him overcome depression Mistakes and sacrifices as a Dad Rapid fire! — Where to find Lloyed Lobo - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyedlobo/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lloyedlobo - His Book: https://FromGrassrootstoGreatness.com   Where to find Adam Fishman - Newsletter: https://startupdadpod.substack.com/ - Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ - Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ — In this episode, we cover: [1:30] Welcome and Introduction [1:59] Professional background [5:34] Childhood as a refugee [12:23] Current family [22:35] Decision to start a family [31:32] Losing a twin child [37:29] Most surprising thing about being a Dad? [41:00] Which kid is like which parent? [42:54] Most frustrating thing about being a Dad? [43:43] Parenting Frameworks [49:57] An area where Lloyed and his wife don't align [52:36] What is something you had to give up to be a Dad? [54:35] What is one mistake you made as a Dad? [1:00:11] Follow along with Lloyed [1:02:38] Rapid fire round — Show references: Lloyed's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lloyedlobo/ Task Rabbit: https://www.taskrabbit.com/ Lloyed's book, From Grassroots to Greatness: https://www.lloyedlobo.com/ Melatonin gummies: https://www.amazon.com/OLLY-Occasional-Melatonin-L-Theanine-Blackberry/dp/B07H8NZZJB/ Boast:https://boast.ai/ Traction: https://www.tractionconf.io/ Highway of death (Kuwait): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_of_Death Gulf War: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War Eye of the Tiger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btPJPFnesV4 Rambo: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462499/ Sylvester Stallone: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000230/ Arnold Schwarzenegger: https://www.schwarzenegger.com/ Cocomelon: https://cocomelon.com/ RRR soundtrack: https://music.apple.com/us/album/rrr-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1619745392 Tesla Model x: https://www.tesla.com/modelx My Wife and Kids: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0273855/ CCRM: https://www.ccrmivf.com/colorado/ccrm-colorado-denver-office/ The Score Takes Care of Itself: https://www.amazon.com/Score-Takes-Care-Itself-Philosophy/dp/1591843472 — Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/ Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.com/  

Lloyed Lobo is the co-founder of Boast.ai and the author of Wall Street Journal best-selling book From Grassroots to Greatness. After escaping the Gulf War as a child and seeing the power of community in helping navigate impossible situations he ended up on a path of entrepreneurship and community building. He is a husband and the father of three kids.In this episode we discuss:* His childhood as a Gulf War refugee* His mother's influence on his entrepreneurship* Losing one of his twins* The power of community in raising a family* Positive discipline and other parenting frameworks* How his daughter helped him overcome depression* Mistakes and sacrifices as a Dad* Rapid fire!Listen, watch and subscribe: Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and Overcast.—Where to find Lloyed Lobo- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyedlobo/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lloyedlobo- His Book: https://FromGrassrootstoGreatness.comWhere to find Adam Fishman- Newsletter: http://www.startupdadpod.substack.com- Newsletter: http://fishmanafnewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/—In this episode, we cover:[1:30] Welcome and Introduction[1:59] Professional background[5:34] Childhood as a refugee[12:23] Current family[22:35] Decision to start a family[31:32] Losing a twin child[37:29] Most surprising thing about being a Dad?[41:00] Which kid is like which parent?[42:54] Most frustrating thing about being a Dad?[43:43] Parenting Frameworks[49:57] An area where Lloyed and his wife don't align[52:36] What is something you had to give up to be a Dad?[54:35] What is one mistake you made as a Dad?[1:00:11] Follow along with Lloyed[1:02:38] Rapid fire round—Show references:Lloyed's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lloyedlobo/Task Rabbit: https://www.taskrabbit.com/Lloyed's book, From Grassroots to Greatness: https://FromGrassrootstoGreatness.comMelatonin gummies: https://www.amazon.com/OLLY-Occasional-Melatonin-L-Theanine-Blackberry/dp/B07H8NZZJB/Boast: https://boast.ai/Traction: https://www.tractionconf.io/Highway of death (Kuwait): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_of_DeathGulf War: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_WarEye of the TigerRambo: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462499/Sylvester Stallone: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000230/Arnold Schwarzenegger: https://www.schwarzenegger.com/Cocomelon: https://cocomelon.com/RRR soundtrack: https://music.apple.com/us/album/rrr-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1619745392Tesla Model x: https://www.tesla.com/modelxMy Wife and Kids: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0273855/CCRM: https://www.ccrmivf.com/colorado/ccrm-colorado-denver-office/The Score Takes Care of Itself: https://www.amazon.com/Score-Takes-Care-Itself-Philosophy/dp/1591843472—Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com

“This is no small thing. It's okay to not be okay. Talk to your team about it.”  Hey, everyone, it's Stephanie here! Whether you're simply family planning, or you're experiencing infertility challenges, something that I learned firsthand through my battle with infertility, is how important it is to have the knowledge and information needed to make informed decisions, and have access to the best resources. I know that going through Infertility can be extremely lonely and also full of anxiety. In retrospect, I can see how running a business definitely prepared me for my journey with infertility as I had to learn how to speak up, how to research, and I did not take no for an answer. I kept going until I found the answers that I so needed and these were skills that I've used over the past decade building businesses. So for this bonus episode of Entreprenista, I wanted to support anyone worried about or actively experiencing infertility to affirm that you are not alone in this and provide you with information that I wish I had when first deciding to build my family. I am joined by two fellow Entreprenistas, Abbe Feder and Jamie Kushner Blicher, who have both built businesses that are helping people going through infertility but in different yet miraculous ways. Hear how they have turned the pain of their own infertility journey into purpose using art and coaching. I also bring on a leading fertility expert at CCRM Miami, Dr. Potts, as he lends his expertise, to demystify the misconceptions surrounding infertility. He illuminates the factors affecting fertility health and the revolutionary solutions available today. From resources to hope, from personal experiences to medical insights, we've got it all covered. Dive in to get enlightened, feel supported, and take control of your fertility narrative. Whether you're an entrepreneur or someone seeking clarity on this journey, this episode offers a compassionate compass, pointing the way forward!   We talk about:   The importance of honest and open discussions while moving through this journey  The mental, emotional, and physical impact the fertility journey can have  Leveraging infertility struggles to drive change Taking control and implementing boundaries with loved ones  The best ways to support someone through their fertility journey   Abby and Jamie's fertility affirmation cards  Creating your village and finding your people   What to consider when choosing a fertility clinic  Proactive steps in fertility management  Knowing what family building looks like for you  The consultation process at CCRM, Miami  Fertility preservation methods and the process of egg freezing Testing and monitoring ovarian reserve  Balancing family aspirations and entrepreneurial goals    Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can't wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!       Resources Mentioned:   Society For Assisted Reproductive Technology  Look at individual clinic IVF success rates Rescripted    For more information about fertility, women's health, and wellness FertilityIQ  Get the most up-to-date research on fertility treatments, doctors, outcomes, costs, and more.    Connect with Abbe Feder:  InCircle Fertility   Check out the incredible work Abbe is doing to provide support through the infertility process!  Instagram  Connect with Jamie Kushner Blicher:    Glitter Enthusiast  Instagram    Schedule An Appointment at CCRM Miami   CCRM Fertility in Miami    Patients can call or fill out an online form to book a consult  

This Veteran's Day, we're featuring Brian Tucker, a Veteran who is outspoken about his experience with male factor infertility. He is also an HR disruptor who knows that employers, are, in part, responsible for executing the American Dream.   On the path to building a family, Brian and his wife, Jenny, found themselves at a financial crossroad. Their coverage for fertility treatment was miscommunicated, which left them confused about what they actually need to pay vs what was covered. Left completely in the dark, with one common goal of having a child, they chose the only clear-cut financial benefit that was laid out for them, a Veteran's discount. Having experienced this, Brian now speaks about his experience – and has presented at DisruptHR, where he discussed the need for more support in the workplace.   Listen to him here: Brian Tucker: Work LIFE Balance Talk  We also hear from Dr. Tolulope Bakare, a Reproductive Urologist from Posterity Health, and Dr. Ron Feinberg, Reproductive Endocrinologist from RADfertility of CCRM, about the treatment options when diagnosed with male factor infertility.   Guest:   Brian Tucker, Director of Human Resources at Elior North America, Veteran, and Infertility Advocate  Dr. Ron Feinberg, RADfertility  Dr. Tolulope Bakare, Posterity Health  Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny     For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.  

Le savoir-faire local à l'honneur. Ce samedi 28 et ce dimanche 29 octobre, plus de 50 exposants, des entreprises du territoire représentant un large panel de métiers, accueillent le public à l'occasion du retour de Ried Expo, qui se tiendra à la salle polyvalente de Sundhouse. Professionnels du bâtiment et de l'habitat, bien-être et beauté, de l'alimentaire, entreprises et services, ou encore artisanat seront au rendez-vous. Proposé par la Communauté de communes du Ried de Marckolsheim (CCRM), cet événement a pour objectif de soutenir le développement économique local en organisant une rencontre entre ses différents acteurs et les habitants du territoire. Des animations ont également été pensées pour petits et grands. On en parle avec Mathieu Klotz, maire de Sundhouse et membre du bureau de la CCRM.  Le lien vers l'article complet : https://www.azur-fm.com/news/sundhouse-ried-expo-fete-son-grand-retour-ce-week-end-1753 

Tune in to today's episode of the NKY Spotlight Podcast, presented by CVG! We are joined by Fayette Heating & Air's Tim Bauman and Ryan Beckham, who highlight their expansion to Northern Kentucky and how residents can take advantage of club memberships. On NKY Work, Nancy Spivey is joined by Jerry Wallace of CCRM1, who discusses re-entry employment and how local businesses can become successful second-chance employers.  Thank you to our sponsors Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, CKREU Consulting and HORAN.

Date: 08/27/2023Series: Standalone MessageSpeaker: Perry Jones, Executive Director of the Capital City Rescue MissionScripture: John 4:46-53

The Fertility 101 Series, because there's no shortage of daunting terms to keep your mind running, is a quick and dirty breakdown on a specific topic with insights from a fertility expert.  In today's episode, Dr. Callum Potts breaks down the unexplained infertility diagnosis. He walks us through the four factors of fertility, how they work collectively to create a natural pregnancy, and why these four factors could test normally without positive results. Dr. Pott's discusses treatment options such as IUI and IVF, and how someone may decide on which path to take.   While an unexplained infertility diagnosis is frustrating, Dr. Potts emphasizes that treatment options are not limited and testing normal is a positive thing.     Guest: Dr. Callum Potts, CCRM in Miami  Host: Dan Bulger, Progyny  For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page and Progyny's Education page for more resources. Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com. 

Judith Becerra is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Manager of the Counseling Department and Director of the Gestational Carrier Program at CCRM. She has over 30 years' experience in the counseling field specializing in infertility, grief and loss, trauma, mood disorders and adoption. She received her undergraduate degree in Social Work at the University of Kansas and her master's degree in Psychology and Counseling at Pittsburg State University. Judy has published numerous articles on mental health issues, has been a national speaker on grief and loss as well as featured on television, documentaries and radio. Judy utilizes a holistic approach in counseling, believing in the connection of mind/body/spirit. Judy is a member of the Mental Health Professionals Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and a professional member of RESOLVE. Listen as Judy discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Having immense pains with cramps all through her young life, then at 23 discovering she had endometriosis. • Almost calling off her wedding, but her fiancé was not going to let that happen. • Going through seven years of fertility treatments. • Judy's own experience being adopted and her positive feelings toward adoption. • Independently meeting an expectant mother who was 15 and being part of every step. • Looking to adopt a second child and experiencing several heartbreaks. • Her second child going through 11 chemo treatments and passing away before turning 4. • Finding a new career in mental health within IVF. • Finding professionals from ASRM to help locate the right treatment and care. • Get involved to help promote IVF care and receive grants or donations. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen's law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Today I'm speaking with Alyssa of Healthy IVF.  She shares her long road enduring 9 rounds of IVF, 2 egg retrievals and multiple surgeries along the way. She and her husband Steven have been trying to grow their family since 2018. They currently live in San Francisco, CA with their pup Bailey and are expecting a baby boy this summer! Alyssa and Steven started IVF in Spring of 2019. They since have been through multiple rounds of IVF, 9 transfers and many losses, including the loss of their son Cole who passed at 23 weeks. Alyssa is passionate about connecting with other warriors, advocating for the community, living a healthy lifestyle and spreading awareness around infertility and loss. You can connect with Alyssa on her IG account @healthyivf. Shout out to some of the members of her fertility team:Dr. Salem at CCRM https://www.ccrmivf.com/sanfrancisco/dr-wael-salem/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8qmhBhClARIsANAtbodmYd7uz9a6I0bhXlbK_GQO_eW_mb9sSOvfIz9fGCqn-GKnuhWN5h8aApq_EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.dsDr. Contro & Dr. Fierrohttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068219966651&mibextid=LQQJ4dDr. Aimee the Egg Whispererhttps://draimee.org/Dr. Serratohttps://bayareagynecology.com/Blue Ova Acupuncture https://www.blueova.com/book-appointmentThe Lotus Method -PThttps://thelotusmethod.com/* NEXT 7 WEEK GROUP - starting April 19. Visit website for more details and pre-sale pricing. https://ivfmanifestingamiracle.com/the-hold-on-baby-experience-applicationEmail Lisa@ivfmanfestingamiracle.com You're Invited!! JOIN the 2024 MOON MAGIC & MANIFESTATION community https://ivfmanifestingamiracle.com/moon-magic-2024CONNECT with Lisa & get IVF COACHING SUPPORT https://ivfmanifestingamiracle.com BOOK a complimentary DISCOVERY CALL: https://ivfmanifestingamiracle.as.me/20-min-discovery-callFERTILTIY HYPNOTHERAPY SUPPORThttps://ivfmanifestingamiracle.com/hypnotherapy-programORDER BOOK: ‘HOLD ON, BABY! A Soulful Guide to Navigating the Ups & Downs of Infertility & IVF.'https://ivfmanifestingamiracle.com/holdonbabyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivf.manifesting.a.miracle/LISTEN to the PODCAST on Apple and Spotify:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soulful-ivf/id1661561097**Please Rate the show & Subscribe! THANK YOU so much for your Reviews of the podcast - It means the absolute world! Music Credit Closing Song by Sam Costigan. Follow her on Spotify and IG ...

Sujets traités :  L'Alsace placée en alerte rouge aux pollens. D'importants pollens de noisetiers et d'aulne circulent dans l'air, bien plus nombreux que d'habitude en hiver. Une mauvaise nouvelle pour les personnes allergiques, qui peuvent souffrir de rhinites, conjonctivites ou d'asthme. Toujours dans le thème de la santé, l'Observatoire régional de la santé Grand Est et France assos santé ont lancé une consultation régionale en ligne, sur le thème "Ma santé, mes droits, je m'exprime". Elle s'adresse à l'ensemble de la population du Grand Est, qui peut y répondre jusqu'au 14 avril. Le questionnaire est anonyme et pose des questions sur l'accès aux soins, les difficultés dans le parcours de soins et la connaissance des droits. Pour plus d'informations, vus pouvez téléponer au 03 88 11 69 80. 6,1 millions euros d'investissements et pas de hausse d'impôts. Les élus de la Communauté de communes du Ried de Marckolsheim se sont penchés sur les finances de la collectivité, lors du conseil communautaire de mercredi. Le Débat d'Orientations Budgétaires a mobilisé une grande partie de la réunion. Pour cette année 2023, les investissements ont été estimés à hauteur d'environ 6,1 millions d'euros. Les précisions de Frédéric Pfliegersdoerffer, président de la CCRM. Les programme de certains travaux, dont ceux des périscolaires de Bindernheim et Sundhouse, mais aussi de l'atelier intercommunal de Sundhouse ont aussi été validés lors de ce conseil communautaire. Retrouvez toutes les informations dans notre article sur notre site, azur-fm.com. Constellium recrute. Le fabricant d'aluminium, implanté à Neuf-Brisach, lance une campagne de recrutement pour 80 postes d'opérateurs de production et de maintenance en CDI, en vue de son accroissement. Le géant industriel avait en effet investit 130 millions d'euros pour augmenter ses capacités de recyclage, avec une volonté de réduire ses émissions de gaz à effet de serre de 30%. Les travaux de construction du nouveau bâtiment débuteront cette année. Pour postuler, vous pouvez vous rendre sur le site internet constellium.com. C'est aujourd'hui que débute la Collecte Nationale des Restos du Cœur. Dans le Bas-Rhin, cette dernière se tiendra tout le week-end dans plus de 80 grandes surfaces, aujourd'hui et demain, mais aussi dans quelques magasins ouverts dimanche matin. Cette année, l'enjeu est de taille, à cause d'une augmentation jamais vue de personnes accueillies supplémentaires : +20%. Des bénévoles sont aussi recherchés pour collecter denrées alimentaires et produits d'hygiène. Retrouvez plus de renseignements sur le site ad67.restosducoeur.org Autre appel à bénévoles, celui de Caritas Alsace. A partir du 18 mars, les bénévoles de Caritas Colmar accueilleront les personnes en précarité tous les mercredi et samedi matin pour un petit déjeuner convivial. Des bénévoles sont recherchés pour ce nouveau projet. A cette occasion, une réunion d'informations est organisée demain à 10h au 6, rue Schongauer à Colmar. Il est aussi possible de se renseigner par téléphone, au 03 89 41 12 56. Pas d'alcool, cette année, au Carnaval de Colmar. Après Rouffach, c'est au tour de la cité de Bartholdi d'interdire la consommation d'alcool sur les chars durant la cavalcade. Le Maire, Eric Straumann, l'a annoncé hier sur les réseaux sociaux. A la demande du Président du carnaval, Claude Sembach, le premier édile a pris un arrêté, qui court de 13h à 19h dimanche. Il ne s'applique bien sûr pas aux débits de boissons autorisés. Les enfants, quant à eux, ont rendez-vous dès demain, 14h30 pour la cavalcade qui leur est destinée. Le départ se fera du musée du jouet. Le festival "Azariste et le trésor dérobé" est reporté d'une année. L'ambitieux projet qui devait se tenir du 31 mais au 4 juin sur la base nautique de Colmar-Houssen...

Sujets traités :  L'Alsace placée en alerte rouge aux pollens. D'importants pollens de noisetiers et d'aulne circulent dans l'air, bien plus nombreux que d'habitude en hiver. Une mauvaise nouvelle pour les personnes allergiques, qui peuvent souffrir de rhinites, conjonctivites ou d'asthme. L'Observatoire régional de la santé Grand Est et France assos santé ont lancé une consultation régionale en ligne, sur le thème "Ma santé, mes droits, je m'exprime". Elle s'adresse à l'ensemble de la population du Grand Est, qui peut y répondre jusqu'au 14 avril. Le questionnaire est anonyme et pose des questions sur l'accès aux soins, les difficultés dans le parcours de soins et la connaissance des droits. Pour plus d'informations, vus pouvez téléponer au 03 88 11 69 80. 6,1 millions euros d'investissements et pas de hausse d'impôts. Le Débat d'Orientations Budgétaires a mobilisé une grande partie de la réunion. Pour cette année 2023, les investissements ont été estimés à hauteur d'environ 6,1 millions d'euros. Les précisions de Frédéric Pfliegersdoerffer, président de la CCRM. Les programme de certains travaux, dont ceux des périscolaires de Bindernheim et Sundhouse, mais aussi de l'atelier intercommunal de Sundhouse ont aussi été validés lors de ce conseil communautaire. Retrouvez toutes les informations dans notre article sur notre site, azur-fm.com. Constellium recrute. Le fabricant d'aluminium, implanté à Neuf-Brisach, lance une campagne de recrutement pour 80 postes d'opérateurs de production et de maintenance en CDI, en vue de son accroissement. Le géant industriel avait en effet investit 130 millions d'euros pour augmenter ses capacités de recyclage, avec une volonté de réduire ses émissions de gaz à effet de serre de 30%. Les travaux de construction du nouveau bâtiment débuteront cette année. Pour postuler, vous pouvez vous rendre sur le site internet constellium.com. C'est aujourd'hui que débute la Collecte Nationale des Restos du Cœur. Dans le Bas-Rhin, cette dernière se tiendra tout le week-end dans plus de 80 grandes surfaces, aujourd'hui et demain, mais aussi dans quelques magasins ouverts dimanche matin. Cette année, l'enjeu est de taille, à cause d'une augmentation jamais vue de personnes accueillies supplémentaires : +20%. Des bénévoles sont aussi recherchés pour collecter denrées alimentaires et produits d'hygiène. Retrouvez plus de renseignements sur le site ad67.restosducoeur.org Autre appel à bénévoles, celui de Caritas Alsace. A partir du 18 mars, les bénévoles de Caritas Colmar accueilleront les personnes en précarité tous les mercredi et samedi matin pour un petit déjeuner convivial. Des bénévoles sont recherchés pour ce nouveau projet. A cette occasion, une réunion d'informations est organisée demain à 10h au 6, rue Schongauer à Colmar. Il est aussi possible de se renseigner par téléphone, au 03 89 41 12 56. Pas d'alcool, cette année, au Carnaval de Colmar. Après Rouffach, c'est au tour de la cité de Bartholdi d'interdire la consommation d'alcool sur les chars durant la cavalcade. Le Maire, Eric Straumann, l'a annoncé hier sur les réseaux sociaux. A la demande du Président du carnaval, Claude Sembach, le premier édile a pris un arrêté, qui court de 13h à 19h dimanche. Il ne s'applique bien sûr pas aux débits de boissons autorisés. Les enfants, quant à eux, ont rendez-vous dès demain, 14h30 pour la cavalcade qui leur est destinée. Le départ se fera du musée du jouet. Le festival "Azariste et le trésor dérobé" est reporté d'une année. L'ambitieux projet qui devait se tenir du 31 mais au 4 juin sur la base nautique de Colmar-Houssen est finalement décalé du 29 mai au 2 juin 2024. Porté principalement par des bénévoles, le festival qui doit accueillir plus de 300 artistes n'a pas obtenu suffisamment de subventions. Pour le moment, il manque 25% du budget total. L'école de musique et de danse de Wintzenheim se laisse donc un an de plus pour mener à bien ce projet. 

Réunis dans la salle de la MJC de Mackenheim, les élus de la Communauté de communes du Ried de Marckolsheim se sont penchés sur les finances de la collectivité, ce mercredi 01 mars. Le Débat d'Orientations Budgétaires a mobilisé une grande partie du conseil communautaire, complété notamment par des validations de programme de travaux. Les investissements ont été estimés à hauteur d'environ 6,1 millions d'euros en 2023. 359 000 euros devraient servir à financer le multi accueil de Marckolsheim. 800 000 euros seront également dédiés au périscolaire de Sundhouse, ainsi que 490 000 et 375 000 euros, respectivement pour les mêmes structures de Wittisheim et Bindernheim. Enfin, 1,2 million d'euros ont encore notamment été chiffrés pour la réalisation de pistes cyclables. Les précisions de Frédéric Pfliegersdoerffer, président de la CCRM. Le lien vers l'article complet : https://www.azur-fm.com/news/ried-de-marckolsheim-61-millions-euros-dinvestissements-et-pas-de-hausse-dimpots-1278 

Beth is a dear past client based in Massachusetts who openly shares the journey she and her partner experienced with ONE healthy embryo & sperm donor conception.  She is a very grateful mom to her one-year old daughter, Harper. If you're in a demanding job, and have more Type A tendencies you'll relate to Beth's story of desiring keeping "light control." We talk about joy, pleasurable activities and letting go of comparison. Hear what supported her as she navigated through IVF and the important role her partner played. Listen to the gifts she and her partner discovered through opening up to loved ones about their journey. Hear the 3 mantras that keep Beth in the right mindset as she was in the waiting. She also shares the tools that helped keep her moving forward including her vision board, chakra reading, and intentions. Beth shares the process of using sperm donor banks and her tips for not getting attached to any particular sperm donor. She offers such great guidance if you are pursuing the sperm donor path. Listen in to Beth's heartfelt story and personal reflections. How she focused on the inner journey. The power of signs, affirmations, and going inward. Keep the joy, laughter, and light alive on your fertility path. Thanks to Dr. Zimon w/ CCRM in Boston for helping bring Harper into the world. Doctor and clinic: @Alisonzimon_mdhttps://ccrmivf.com/boston/https://ccrmivf.com/boston/alison-zimon-md/Acupuncturist: @wanderwellwithheather https://wanderwellacupuncture.comFertile Body Yoga: @fertilebodyyogahttps://fertilebodyyoga.comA wonderful resource for family building: @resolvenewenglandhttps://resolvenewengland.orgBeth's Bio:She recently left an around-the-clock job to focus on her number one priority: her family. She is a recovering workaholic with type A tendencies. Beth recently relocated from the Boston area to the woods in central Massachusetts. She is passionate about all things fertility and finding the joy and calm on a sometimes dark, lonely path. When she is not chasing Harper around, Beth enjoys hiking with her family, jogging, reading, getting back to her yoga practice, reading affirmations, and writing. She has her Masters in Counseling Psychology. Beth may be reached at: kindfertility@gmail.com.*JOIN ME  on March 10th- CREATE SPACE TO RECEIVEYou're Invited!! JOIN the 2024 MOON MAGIC & MANIFESTATION community https://ivfmanifestingamiracle.com/moon-magic-2024CONNECT with Lisa & get IVF COACHING SUPPORT https://ivfmanifestingamiracle.com BOOK a complimentary DISCOVERY CALL: https://ivfmanifestingamiracle.as.me/20-min-discovery-callFERTILTIY HYPNOTHERAPY SUPPORThttps://ivfmanifestingamiracle.com/hypnotherapy-programORDER BOOK: ‘HOLD ON, BABY! A Soulful Guide to Navigating the Ups & Downs of Infertility & IVF.'https://ivfmanifestingamiracle.com/holdonbabyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivf.manifesting.a.miracle/LISTEN to the PODCAST on Apple and Spotify:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soulful-ivf/id1661561097**Please Rate the show & Subscribe! THANK YOU so much for your Reviews of the podcast - It means the absolute world! Music Credit Closing Song by Sam Costigan. Follow her on Spotify and IG ...

On episode 25 of the Ori Spotlight Podcast, Jason C. Foster is joined by Philip Vanek, CTO at Gamma Biosciences as they explore how the industry is evolving in a digitally connected world. Gamma Biosciences is a life sciences innovator focused on bioprocessing tools and technologies for the development and production of advanced therapies, including vaccines, biologics and cell and gene therapies. Philip is an entrepreneurial and strategic international business leader. Prior to Gamma Biosciences, he directed strategy and portfolio growth at GE Healthcare's Cell and Gene Therapy business unit. He has also held leadership positions in a number of life sciences companies including Life Technologies, Becton Dickinson, and Lonza, and is currently a Board Member of CCRM in Toronto Canada and the ARM Foundation. Philip joined Jason to discuss the role of digital within the cell and gene therapy industry, overcoming manufacturing challenges to meet the demand for therapies, and how industry partnerships and collaboration can increase the momentum of progress. Learn more about Philip Vanek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanekphil/

Au plus proche de la population. En amont du conseil communautaire de ce mercredi 09 novembre, un projet de centre social itinérant a été présenté aux élus de la Communauté de communes du Ried de Marckolsheim (CCRM). Il s'agit ici d'aller au contact des habitants de la collectivité, de communes en communes, pour leur permettre de bénéficier plus facilement des activités qui leur sont proposées sur le territoire. Pour se faire, une camionnette devrait être acquise par le Réseau d'animation intercommunal (RAI). Cette dernière pourra également être utilisée par les médiathèques du territoire, mais encore par l'Espace enfant du Grand Ried – dont fait partie la Ludo'Ried –, le Relais Petite Enfance et les associations partenaires. Les précisions de Frédéric Pfliegersdoerffer, président de la CCRM. Le lien vers l'article complet : https://www.azur-fm.com/news/ried-de-marckolsheim-des-travaux-damenagement-sur-la-voie-tulla-1061 

La Communauté de communes du Ried de Marckolsheim va lancer des travaux d'aménagement sur la voie dite Tulla, entre Marckolsheim et Schœnau. Cette réhabilitation permettra de sensibiliser la population à la richesse de la faune et de la flore du pays rhénan, mais également de développer l'attractivité touristique du territoire. Une première opération consistera à aménager la voie entre Mackenheim et Schœnau. Sur une longueur d'environ 6,3 kilomètres linéaires, la digue sera ainsi remise en état afin d'être praticable. Des panneaux d'informations pédagogiques seront également ajoutés, pour informer les passants sur la biodiversité des lieux.  Les précisions de Frédéric Pfliegersdoerffer, président de la CCRM.  Le lien vers l'article complet : https://www.azur-fm.com/news/ried-de-marckolsheim-des-travaux-damenagement-sur-la-voie-tulla-1061 

El Dr. Sebastián Mondaca, oncólogo médico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica en Santiago, Chile, junto con el Dr. Ángel López, oncólogo médico adscrito a OPCION Oncología en Monterrey, NL, México, nos comentan algunos de los estudios más destacados sobre el tratamiento de tumores gastrointestinales presentados durante el Congreso Anual de ESMO 2022 en París, Francia. Cáncer colorrectal NICHE-2: Estudio fase II, multicéntrico y no aleatorizado, que evaluó nivolumab + ipilimumab neoadyuvante, en donde a corto plazo demostró respuestas patológicas significativas en casi todos los pacientes con cáncer de colon con deficiencia en la reparación de errores de emparejamiento (dMMR, por sus siglas en inglés) no metastásicos. SAMCO-PRODIGE 54: Estudio fase II, aleatorizado, que evaluó avelumab vs. quimioterapia estándar de 2L en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal metastásico (CCRm) con inestabilidad de microsatélites. KRYSTAL-1: Estudio fase I/II, multicohorte, que evaluó la seguridad y eficacia de adagrasib con o sin cetuximab en pacientes con CCRm que alberga una mutación KRAS G12C. CodeBreak-101: Estudio fase Ib, que evaluó la seguridad y eficacia para la cohorte de expansión completa de sotorasib en combinación con panitumumab en CCR refractario mutado KRAS G12C. MOUNTAINEER: Estudio fase II, aleatorizado y multicéntrico, que evaluó tucatinib + trastuzumab o tucatinib solo en pacientes con CCRm o no resecable HER2+ después de terapias estándar de atención previas. FRESCO-2: Estudio fase III, multirregional y global, que evaluó la eficacia y seguridad de fruquintinib en pacientes con CCRm refractario. Cáncer gástrico DESTINY-Gastric02: Estudio fase II, de un solo brazo, que evaluó trastuzumab deruxtecan en pacientes occidentales con cáncer de la unión gástrica/gastroesofágica HER2+ que progresó durante o después del régimen con trastuzumab. Fecha de grabación: 21 de septiembre de 2022 Todos los comentarios emitidos por los participantes son a título personal y no reflejan la opinión de ScienceLink u otros. Se deberá revisar las indicaciones aprobadas en el país para cada uno de los tratamientos y medicamentos comentados. Las opiniones vertidas en este programa son responsabilidad de los participantes o entrevistados, ScienceLink las ha incluido con fines educativos. Este material está dirigido a profesionales de la salud exclusivamente.

Today, Ali is talking to Miscarriage Awareness advocate Chauncey Ellis about her two very different losses. Chauncey talks about growing up as part of the LDS church, how she was one of eight children in her family, and having her first daughter at a young age. She also talks about trying again seven years later, the two miscarriages she experienced, the grief she deals with to this day, and later, having another daughter, named Indigo. Today, Chauncey is a huge cheerleader for others in the #TTCcommunity, sharing education, advice and her own experiences. Follow her @chaunceyellis TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:Miscarriage; multiple miscarriages; meditation; grief; pregnancy after loss. EPISODE SPONSOR:THE CLASS. The Class is a fun and challenging workout that combines strength-training, cardio, and mindfulness to help you feel better. Check out The Class' recent Fertility Series, backed by CCRM. Whether you're curious about conceiving or actively trying to have a child, The Fertility Series strengthens your mind-body connection so you can maintain your wellbeing wherever you are on the fertility journey. This series includes conversations, meditations, and no-impact workouts that emotionally and mentally support you where medicine, society, and well-meaning loved ones fall short.The best part? Infertile AF listeners can get an exclusive, 30-day free trial by going to theclass.com/infertileafFERTILITY RALLY, @fertilityrallyNo one should go through infertility alone. Join the Worst Club with the Best Members at www.fertilityrally.com. We offer support groups, private Facebook groups, curated events, and an entire of more than 325 women available to support you, no matter where you are in your journey. Doors open the 1st of every month. See more on our IG @fertilityrallySupport this podcast at:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infertileafhttps://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: infertileafstories@gmail.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sujets traités :  - Communauté de communes du Ried de Marckolsheim, les élus se sont réunis mercredi soir en conseil communautaire. Actuel « fil rouge » du mandat, la thématique des périscolaires s'est une nouvelle fois invitée à l'ordre du jour. Le nombre de places de certains établissements sera revu à la hausse dès la rentrée prochaine, compte tenu de leur forte fréquentation. Les précisions de Frédéric Pfliegersdoerffer, président de la CCRM.  - Pour accueillir plus d'enfants, le centre de loisirs de Wittisheim sera délocalisé au périscolaire d'Hilsenheim dès ce mois de juillet. Parmi les autres points à l'ordre du jour, un projet de transition énergétique et l'augmentation des tarifs de la piscine et de l'école de musique. Retrouvez tous les détails de ce conseil communautaire dans notre article, sur notre site azur-fm.com, dans la rubrique actualité régionales, des propos recueillis par Solène Martin. - Le week-end sera animé du côté du château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. Ca commence dès demain, avec une visite thématique. Vous en saurez plus sur un artiste phare de l'édifice. S'en suivra dimanche un spectacle musical. Ces animations nous sont présentées par Delphine Brunel, chargée de l'évènementiel au château. Pour la visite guidée sur l'artiste Léo Schnug, vous avez rendez-vous demain à 14h30. Le tarif plein est de 13€. Le spectacle "La dame blanche et les 3 compères" est à découvrir, lui, dimanche à 11h, 13h30 et 15h30. Notez par ailleurs, que le château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, propriété de la CeA devrait bientôt avoir un nouveau Directeur, Bruno Caro, quitte cette fonction qu'il occupe depuis 6 ans fin juillet. Il va retourner dans la Sarthe, sa Région d'origine, où il occupera les fonctions de direction du service de la culture, du patrimoine, du tourisme et du sport au conseil départemental de la Sarthe. - La Capella Carolina fait son retour ! Ce grand chœur allemand, accompagné de son orchestre, donnera ce dimanche 03 juillet un nouveau concert à l'occasion des heures musicales d'Ebersmunster, après trois ans d'absence. Benoit Adolf, vice-président de l'association des amis de l'Église abbatiale d'Ebersmunster, nous présente cet événement. C'est ce dimanche, à 17h. Le tarif plein est de 18€ et de 15€ en tarif réduit. Renseignements sur le site amisabbatiale-ebersmunster.fr ou au 03 88 25 78 32. - Enfin, à Sélestat, la jeunesse sera en fête, demain après-midi, de 14h à 18h. C'est la seconde édition de cette animation au Grubfeld de Sélestat, en accès libre. Cette année, et c'est une nouveauté, la communauté de communes de Sélestat, qui organise l'évènement, propose un forum de l'animation, pour présenter le métier d'animateur, on écoute Ali Abid, responsable du service jeunesse à la CCS. A découvrir également, un village des partenaires, et un guichet unique avec toutes les informations sur les modes de garde possibles sur le territoire, c'est en accès libre.

Sujets traités :  Communauté de communes du Ried de Marckolsheim, les élus se sont réunis mercredi soir en conseil communautaire. Actuel « fil rouge » du mandat, la thématique des périscolaires s'est une nouvelle fois invitée à l'ordre du jour. Le nombre de places de certains établissements sera revu à la hausse dès la rentrée prochaine, compte tenu de leur forte fréquentation. Les précisions de Frédéric Pfliegersdoerffer, président de la CCRM.  Pour accueillir plus d'enfants, le centre de loisirs de Wittisheim sera délocalisé au périscolaire d'Hilsenheim dès ce mois de juillet. Parmi les autres points à l'ordre du jour, un projet de transition énergétique et l'augmentation des tarifs de la piscine et de l'école de musique. Retrouvez tous les détails de ce conseil communautaire dans notre article, sur notre site azur-fm.com, dans la rubrique actualité régionales, des propos recueillis par Solène Martin. Le week-end sera animé du côté du château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. Ca commence dès demain, avec une visite thématique. Vous en saurez plus sur un artiste phare de l'édifice. S'en suivra dimanche un spectacle musical. Ces animations nous sont présentées par Delphine Brunel, chargée de l'évènementiel au château. Pour la visite guidée sur l'artiste Léo Schnug, vous avez rendez-vous demain à 14h30. Le tarif plein est de 13€. Le spectacle "La dame blanche et les 3 compères" est à découvrir, lui, dimanche à 11h, 13h30 et 15h30. Notez par ailleurs, que le château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, propriété de la CeA devrait bientôt avoir un nouveau Directeur, Bruno Caro, quitte cette fonction qu'il occupe depuis 6 ans fin juillet. Il va retourner dans la Sarthe, sa Région d'origine, où il occupera les fonctions de direction du service de la culture, du patrimoine, du tourisme et du sport au conseil départemental de la Sarthe. La Capella Carolina fait son retour ! Ce grand chœur allemand, accompagné de son orchestre, donnera ce dimanche 03 juillet un nouveau concert à l'occasion des heures musicales d'Ebersmunster, après trois ans d'absence. Benoit Adolf, vice-président de l'association des amis de l'Église abbatiale d'Ebersmunster, nous présente cet événement. C'est ce dimanche, à 17h. Le tarif plein est de 18€ et de 15€ en tarif réduit. Renseignements sur le site amisabbatiale-ebersmunster.fr ou au 03 88 25 78 32. Enfin, à Sélestat, la jeunesse sera en fête, demain après-midi, de 14h à 18h. C'est la seconde édition de cette animation au Grubfeld de Sélestat, en accès libre. Cette année, et c'est une nouveauté, la communauté de communes de Sélestat, qui organise l'évènement, propose un forum de l'animation, pour présenter le métier d'animateur, on écoute Ali Abid, responsable du service jeunesse à la CCS. A découvrir également, un village des partenaires, et un guichet unique avec toutes les informations sur les modes de garde possibles sur le territoire, c'est en accès libre. 

Getting a second opinion was the best clinical decision that Blake and I made in our infertility journey. It changed the trajectory of our story. In a simple phone call, I was able to have Dr. Schoolcraft review my records and ask him all the questions. I very much valued his opinion because he didn't need my business. He is a world renown doctor and he cares about his success rates. For these reasons, I trusted his opinion and felt confident that he would tell me the truth. I needed to hear from him that he thought he could do things differently and that the results would be different if we came to CCRM. I'm sharing my thoughts on when and why I strongly recommend scheduling a phone consultation at CCRM in Lone Tree, Co if you are feeling stuck clinically: If your doctor / clinic doesn't have something different to offer you for the next round of treatment, get a second opinion and/or leave. If your IVF treatment has failed, get a second opinion. The time it takes to find the right clinic is not time wasted. You have nothing to lose in getting a second opinion (other than time). I believe that the clarity and confidence you'll gain in finding the right doctor is worth the time lost. You can get a second opinion remotely. It's called a phone consult. If you don't know who to call about getting a second opinion, I highly recommend my friend Dr. Lauren Ehrhart at CCRM in Lone Tree, Co. Call 303-788-8300 to book your consult with her. Encouragement from Chapter 2 called Grace Through the Storm: “If this is where you are in your story—staring down a dark, uncertain path, unsure if you even have the courage to take the next step, please don't give up. Does the road feel lonely? Are you looking around and it seems like everyone else is living different, better lives? Lives full of dreams achieved and plans working out flawlessly? Lives full of productivity and joy and ease? And yet here you are, feeling left behind in a puddle of disappointment. Comparison, doubt, shame, fear, and anxiety can consume your mind and your heart as you wait and wait and wait for it to finally be your turn. You feel stuck. That was me for four years. If I could go back in time and talk to the me then, living in that stuck time, I would give her the biggest hug and then tell her to give herself grace. I would tell her to give herself grace in her grief and to cry when she needs to. I would encourage her to give herself grace in the blame game she's been playing and forgive herself for her past mistakes and messes (which have nothing to do with her infertility).I would tell her to give herself grace in her loneliness and that it is okay to share her pain with her friends instead of pretending to be strong. I would encourage her to give grace to those same friends, the ones who love her but don't knowhow to help, what to say, or who say all the wrong things. I would repeat it over and over again until she listened. Grace. Grace. Grace. Grace. Because if she had known then what I know now, she would have seen that she wasn't stuck; she was preparing while she waited. She was taking tiny baby steps that the world could see, but gigantic leaps in her heart and soul.” - Give Grace book Links: CCRM - https://www.ccrmivf.com/colorado/ Ad: https://www.megansmalley.com/givegracebook Ad: https://www.theovercomejournal.com/ If you love this podcast, I'd really appreciate it if you'd hit the subscribe button and leave me a 5 star review. These simple things help others find us and help support this ministry so we can keep providing free content for you. For all the latest information, helpful resources, announcements about new season launch dates and to join our free online community, visit www.theinfertilitysisterhood.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@theinfertilitysisterhood / @megansmalley).

Having babies should be fun and free. If you're walking this road, it's likely neither of these things for you. The financial strain that fertility treatment can put on a couple just adds to an already incredibly hard road. In this episode, I introduce you to my friend Adam Parsons. He's a financial coach over at AP Financial Coaching. Adam and his wife Michelle went through IVF in 2020 at CCRM and just welcomed their precious miracle girl. Over the last year, Adam has become a friend and a trusted resource as we have developed a lot of financial tools to help other couples walking through IVF. We cannot wait to share those tools with you this year. Here are Adam's tips to map out a financial plan for treatment: Know where you are. We can't create a plan to get where we want to be until we know where we are now. A great tool is a net worth statement or a “where are you now” statement. Setting a budget also helps you determine how much money you have available each month to put toward treatment. Download Adam's free budget template here. Understand your why. Be specific. It needs to be more detailed than just “I want a baby.” Use this time to set good financial habits and work together toward a greater goal. Use SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic & timely Automate as much as you can. Save first. Create a plan. Then, automate the plan. Encouragement: “The first thing I would encourage you to do is to focus on that why. That is a very important piece. It seems small because you know what your why is internally, but sitting down with each other and writing it out will be the cornerstone that you can come back to when things get hard.” - Adam Parsons Links: Get coached by Adam: https://www.apfinancialcoaching.com/ Ad: https://www.megansmalley.com/givegracebook Ad: https://www.theovercomejournal.com/ If you love this podcast, I'd really appreciate it if you'd hit the subscribe button and leave me a 5 star review. These simple things help others find us and help support this ministry so we can keep providing free content for you. For all the latest information, helpful resources, announcements about new season launch dates and to join our free online community, visit www.theinfertilitysisterhood.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@theinfertilitysisterhood / @megansmalley).

Having babies should be fun and free. If you're walking this road, it's likely neither of these things for you. The financial strain that fertility treatment can put on a couple just adds to an already incredibly hard road. In this episode, I introduce you to my friend Adam Parsons. He's a financial coach over at AP Financial Coaching. Adam and his wife Michelle went through IVF in 2020 at CCRM and just welcomed their precious miracle girl. Over the last year, Adam has become a friend and a trusted resource as we have developed a lot of financial tools to help other couples walking through IVF. We cannot wait to share those tools with you this year. If you haven't listened to episode 14, go listen to that first. Once you've mapped out a financial plan, then it's time to work toward your goal. Here are Adam's tips: Focus on consistency over perfection. Do the work on the front end so that sticking to the plan becomes as mindless as possible. It's about the pursuit and who you become through that pursuit. You will feel frustrated in this process. Step away when you need to but come back to the table. Progress happens in the coming back. Revert back to you why. When things get hard and you are forced to make sacrifices, this will help keep you encouraged as you work toward your goal. Get others involved. Make sure you and your spouse are teammates in this journey. Get friends and family involved to keep you encouraged. Encouragement: “If you have your plan in place, I want to encourage you to just keep going. That consistency and the coming back are so important. It's really hard. If you are feeling the weight of that and don't know where to turn, get others involved. You've done the hard work to create your plan and now it's time to just keep going. If you need help, get someone in your corner that can help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.” - Adam Parsons Links: Get coached by Adam: https://www.apfinancialcoaching.com/ Pursuit podcast episode: https://youtu.be/PdXNl-k5Acw Ad: https://www.theinfertilitysisterhood.com/beautycounter Ad: https://www.theovercomejournal.com/ If you love this podcast, I'd really appreciate it if you'd hit the subscribe button and leave me a 5 star review. These simple things help others find us and help support this ministry so we can keep providing free content for you. For all the latest information, helpful resources, announcements about new season launch dates and to join our free online community, visit www.theinfertilitysisterhood.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@theinfertilitysisterhood / @megansmalley).

Going to your first fertility clinic consultation can feel overwhelming and intimidating: "Are we infertile? Are they going to try to sell us IVF like some kind of car salesman?" It's high stakes and high pressure...and for good reason. Usually you've already been waiting a long time for answers and this appointment can feel like your first chance to get more information, clarity and a plan.In this episode, we’re chatting with Margaret Sundheim, an IVF Nurse Practitioner at CCRM in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She's sharing what types of questions you should ask, what you can expect in that first meeting and how you might feel when you leave the office. We'll also talk about how you know it's time to leave your OBGYN for a fertility clinic, how to choose your clinic and doctor and how to know it's a good fit.To learn more about how to prepare for your first fertility clinic appointment and for a list of questions you might want to ask, check out this blog post:https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/blog/384/preparing-for-your-first-fertility-clinic-appointment/

This week we sat down with Dr. Yetunde Ibrahim M.D.,M.Sc., FACOG of Colorado Center For Reproductive Medicine to chat all things fertility and infertility. We chat about how women can prep in your 20s to maximize fertility in your 30s & beyond, the truth about ovarian aging, and how common are miscarriages? We get the scoop on infertility, what is it, and what are the causes, multiple failed embryo transfers and egg freezing + Yay or Nay! • Connect with CCRM: https://www.ccrmivf.com/ • Connect with CCRM on Instagram/ Twitter/ Facebook: @ccrmfertility • Follow along with @tglpodcast on Instagram • Get social using #tgltuesdays • Don't forget to stalk your hosts: @kgrace01 and @positivelyposie

We’ve covered the cost effectiveness of pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, or PGT-A. In today’s episode, we are going to learn about something called non-invasive pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (they don’t have an acronym for it yet because it’s still in clinical trials). We’ll hear from Dr. Mandy Katz-Jaffe, a Reproductive Geneticist and the Scientific and Genetics Director at CCRM. She’ll break down how this test could work, the advantages this could have for patients, and where they are in the process of clinical trials. Today’s host is Claire O’Neill, Patient Care Advocate at Progyny. Guests include: Dr. Mandy Katz-Jaffe, a Reproductive Geneticist and the Scientific and Genetics Director at CCRM. For more information, visit Progyny's Podcast page: http://www.progyny.com/podcast and CCRM: https://www.ccrmivf.com Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com

Kim is the author of The Very Kind Koala and The Pea That Was Me series, amazing children’s books about surrogacy and donor-conception. She’s also written books about dealing with infertility and loss. She’s a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has a private practice in psychotherapy and also works at Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM), one of Colorado’s most well-known fertility clinics. Kim talks with Jenn and Ellen about: -How her own experience inspired her to get more involved in the field of infertility. -How to share with your child if they are donor-conceived and the best way to direct that conversation. -Ideas on how surrogates can talk to their children about their journey—based on the children’s ages. -Resources available for dealing with infertility and pregnancy loss. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com 
Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com
Learn more about Kim’s private practice: kimklugerbelllmft.com 
Learn more about CCRM: ccrmivf.com 
 Learn more about her books: booksfordonorkids.com

In BONUS Episode 203 of Beat Infertility, we interview Dr. Eric Surrey, a board-certified a reproductive endocrinologist at CCRM in Colorado, and infertility warrior Meredith, about traveling for IVF. If you need additional support, consider joining Hope University or our Infertility Warrior Tribe. For details on both, please visit https://beatinfertility.co/hopeu.

In BONUS Episode 203 of Beat Infertility, we interview Dr. Eric Surrey, a board-certified a reproductive endocrinologist at CCRM in Colorado, and infertility warrior Meredith, about traveling for IVF. Infertility coach Heather Huhman helps warriors like you make scientifically-based, well-informed decisions about your next steps. To schedule your free 30-minute call, go to https://beatinfertility.co/hope.

Silvio Tiziani is the CEO of CCRM Australia and the Director of ARMI at Monash University. He chatted with us about CCRM Australia's work in the regenerative medicine sector and what role it plays in advancing the future health of patients in Australian and globally. 

  Welcome to another episode of Biotechnology Focus radio! I am your host – Michelle Currie – here to give you the Canadian biotech rundown from coast to coast. This week there has been some revolutionary research in HIV, and natural killer cells. FACIT – the fight against cancer innovation trust – has invested in three novel cancer therapeutic discoveries, and Oncolytics Biotech enters a clinical collaboration to combat breast cancer. Keep listening to find out more details!  +++++  Researchers at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) and Simon Fraser University (SFU), in partnership with University of British Columbia (UBC) and Western University, develop a way of dating “hibernating” HIV strains, in an advancement for HIV cure research in the province.  Published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the BC-CfE’s first major scientific contribution to the area of HIV cure research confirms that dormant HIV strains can persist in the body for decades.  Dormant HIV strains, embed their DNA into the body’s cells, tucking themselves away for years – but can reactivate at any time – and are unreachable by antiretroviral treatments and the immune system. This is the reason why HIV treatment needs to be maintained for life.  Dr. Zabrina Brumme, director, Laboratory with BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and lead author on the study says that, “If you can’t identify it, you can’t cure it. This research provides further essential clues in the pursuit of an HIV cure—which will ultimately require the complete eradication of dormant or ‘latent’ HIV strains. Scientists have long known that strains of HIV can remain essentially in hibernation in an individual living with HIV, only to reactivate many years later. Our study confirms that the latent HIV reservoir is genetically diverse and can contain viral strains dating back to transmission.”  Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS  says that, “The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS  has consistently been a national and global leader on research on HIV and on the implementation of its pioneering Treatment as Prevention® strategy. The addition of molecular biologist Dr. Zabrina Brumme as director of the innovative BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS Laboratory ensures the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS  will play a significant role in HIV cure research. Curative strategies will need to address this new study’s key findings. I want to acknowledge the study participants and thank them for helping to increase our knowledge on the origins of the latent HIV reservoir.”  Brad Jones, a Ph.D. student with the University of British Columbia (UBC) at BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and the first author on the study says that, “By creating family trees of viruses using a technique called molecular phylogenetics, we can reconstruct the evolutionary history of HIV within a person. In essence, we created a highly calibrated ‘time machine’ that gives us a specific time stamp for when each dormant HIV strain originally appeared in a person.”  Through advances in antiretroviral therapy, an individual living with HIV can now live a longer, healthier life on treatment. Treatment works by stopping HIV from infecting new cells. On sustained treatment, individuals can achieve a level of virus that is undetectable by standard blood tests. An undetectable viral load means improved health and that the virus is not transmittable to others—the concept behind Treatment as Prevention®.  Dr. Jeffrey Joy, research scientist at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and co-author on the study says that “Previous research had already revealed that the HIV reservoir was genetically complex. With our method, we can now understand that complexity with greater granularity, pinpointing exactly when each unique HIV strain originally appeared in a person.”  Dr. Art Poon, assistant professor at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, also a co-author on the study, says that, “In order to eradicate HIV from a person’s body, you first need to know the characteristics of HIV in the latent reservoir. We are providing a method for better measuring the timeline of virus latency and evolution within an individual living with HIV.”  “Dating” dormant HIV strains within the viral reservoir involve comparing them to strains that evolved in an HIV-positive person over their entire history of infection.  The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS is one of a handful of institutions worldwide capable of such research, thanks to its maintenance of a historical repository of blood specimens from individuals diagnosed with HIV in BC. These specimens date back to 1996 and were originally collected for viral load and drug resistance testing. The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS Laboratory has provided HIV drug resistance genotyping for virtually all Canadian provinces and territories since 1998, as well as for many countries worldwide.  This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in partnership with the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) and the International AIDS Society (IAS) through its support of the Canadian HIV Cure Enterprise (CanCURE), as well as the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) through its support of the Martin Delaney BELIEVE Collaboratory.  +++++  Immune checkpoint inhibitors are waging a revolutionary war on cancer, but new research challenges the central dogma of how this drug treatment works. This research, published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Investigation, shows for the first time that often-overlooked immune cells called Natural Killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in responding to checkpoint inhibitors.  co-senior author Dr. Michele Ardolino, a scientist at The Ottawa Hospital and assistant professor at the University of Ottawa  explains that, “Checkpoint inhibitors work by waking up the body’s own immune system and unleashing an immune attack on cancer cells. For many years, everyone assumed that checkpoint inhibitors targeted immune cells called T-cells. But our research shows that they also target Natural Killer cells and these cells play a key role in the how this treatment works.”  Dr. Arolino led the study together with Dr. David Raulet, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley.  Dr. Raulet says that “In the cancer immunotherapy field there has been a singular focus on mobilizing anti-tumor T-cells. We believe that NK cells have an important place at the table. Checkpoint therapy combined with other NK-directed immunotherapies may enable us to target many types of tumours that are currently non-responsive to available therapies.”  T-cells and Natural Killer cells can both recognize and kill cancer cells, but they do so in very different ways. NK cells recognize patterns of changes on cancer cells and are the immune system’s first line of defense. A T-cell, on the other hand, recognizes a single abnormal molecule on a cancer cell and initiates a more focused attack.  In the current study, Drs. Ardolino, Raulet and their colleagues investigated the effect of checkpoint inhibitors in various mouse models of cancer. They found that checkpoint inhibitors could shrink tumours even in mice with no anti-cancer T-cells, meaning that some other kind of cell must be responding to the checkpoint inhibitors. When the mice were depleted of Natural Killer cells, it greatly reduced or eliminated the anti-cancer effect of the checkpoint inhibitors. They also showed that Natural Killer cells produce the same checkpoint receptor molecules that T cells do, inferring they can respond directly to checkpoint inhibitors.  co-lead author Jonathan Hodgins, a PhD student at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa says that, “This research helps solve a mystery that’s been seen in the clinic, where certain cancers are very susceptible to checkpoint inhibitors even though their T-cells don’t seem to be activated. If we’re right, Natural Killer cells are probably being activated in these patients.”  Previously, Dr. Ardolino, worked in Dr. Raulet’s lab in California before he was recruited to The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa in 2016. Together they are now investigating approaches to further enhance the cancer-killing ability of Natural Killer cells.  Dr. Ardolino says that, “My dream is that when people come to the hospital with cancer, we’ll be able to take a biopsy and determine not only the mutations in their cancer, but also profile how their immune system is interacting with their cancer. Then we would give the patient the immunotherapy treatments that is most likely to work for them.”  +++++  As a gateway to the cancer research pipeline in Ontario, and a bridge between public and private sectors with an expanding portfolio of breakthrough innovations, Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust (FACIT) is committed to supporting Ontario entrepreneurs through the latest round of its Prospects Oncology Fund to continuously identify and advance breakthroughs in science and technology.  FACIT has carefully chosen three novel cancer therapeutic discoveries to receive early-stage capital – biotechnology start-up Talon Pharmaceuticals, the Drug Discovery team at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) and the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM).  The Prospects Fund provides entrepreneurial scientists with the capital resources necessary to achieve critical proof-of-principle studies for their cutting-edge breakthroughs aiming to benefit future patients.  Talon Pharmaceuticals, through its Multiphore drug design platform, is focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of medicines designed to save lives and improve patient quality of life. They are developing a novel series of small molecules with an undisclosed mechanism of action applying decades of experience with central nervous system (CNS) drug discovery.  OICR is a collaborative, not-for-profit research institute accelerating the development of new cancer research discoveries for patients around the world while maximizing the economic benefit of this research for the people of Ontario. OICR’s Drug Discovery team and their collaborators at the National Research Council (NRC) will receive funds towards the development of a potentially superior class of antibody-drug conjugates.  CCRM’s mission is to generate sustainable health and economic benefits through global collaboration in cell and gene therapy, and regenerative medicine. CCRM will receive funds towards the development of a universally compatible source for the next generation of CAR-T therapies.  FACIT’s $35-million in investments over multiple years addresses a critical health care seed-stage gap often experienced by Ontario product developers. De-risking innovation sets up successful projects for either company creation or a larger round of financing by FACIT and its investment partners, with over $340-million in follow-on financings to date. FACIT’s maturing portfolio of technology investments anchors companies and jobs in Ontario and reduces the need for entrepreneurs to look south of the border.  David O’Neill, president of FACIT  says that, “Our team is pleased to invest in and work alongside these entrepreneurial scientists, providing capital, industry networks and commercialization expertise, as they advance their therapies closer to clinical development. Capitalizing on the province’s investment in healthcare and scientific collaboration through our strategic partners at OICR is not only good for creating high-skilled jobs but also ensures research undergoes translation to impact the lives of patients with cancer.”  +++++  Oncolytics Biotech Incorporated enters into a clinical collaboration with SOLTI, an academic research group dedicated to clinical and translational research in breast cancer. This clinical collaboration, being sponsored by Oncolytics and facilitated by SOLTI, is a window of opportunity study in the neoadjuvant setting for breast cancer.  Reolysin, (pel-areo-rep), an intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus turning cold tumours hot is under development by Oncolytics Biotech. Patients will receive the appropriate standard of care for their cancer subtype plus pel-areo-rep (or Reolysin with or without the anti-PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy ate-zoli-zu-mab (also known as Tecentriq)). Patients are biopsied on day one, followed immediately by treatment and a final biopsy after three weeks, on the day of their mastectomy. Data generated from this study is intended to confirm that the virus is acting as a novel immunotherapy and to provide comprehensive biomarker data by breast cancer sub-type, to support Oncolytics’ phase 3 study in metastatic breast cancer and is expected in mid 2019.  Matt Coffey, president and CEO of Oncolytics Biotech says that they are thrilled to enter into this collaboration with SOLTI and sponsor this window of opportunity study.  They expect that this study will provide additional biomarker and immunological data to support our planned phase three study in metastatic breast cancer. This data should confirm the findings of our phase two study and generate a robust biomarker plan designed to potentially enhance our phase three program. Importantly, it will also generate additional data demonstrating how the promotion of a virally induced inflamed phenotype should synergise with checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-L1 like ate-zoli-zu-mab.”  The study, facilitated by SOLTI, will be coordinated by Dr. Aleix Prat, head of Medical Oncology at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, associate professor of the University of Barcelona and the head of the Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group at August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS) and member of Oncolytics’ Scientific Advisory Board. SOLTI has a network of more than 300 professionals, mostly medical oncologists, in over 80 hospitals in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy. Final study design and other details will be announced upon enrollment of the first patient, expected around the end of 2018 or very early 2019.   Dr. Prat says that, “It has been demonstrated that when reovirus infects a tumor, it promotes the release of immuno-stimulatory signals. This, in turn, results in the upregulation of PD-L1 on tumor cells and the recruitment of inflammatory immune cells like Natural Killer-cells and cytotoxic T-cells to the tumor, which are required prerequisites for checkpoint inhibitors to function effectively.  In short, it turns cold tumours hot. They believe pel-areo-rep can demonstrate the necessary inflamed tumour phenotype to prime tumours for PD-L1 blockade, which could potentially represent a promising form of cancer immunotherapy combination with ate-zoli-zu-mab. Results from this study will seek to establish the virus as an important immuno-oncology agent in breast cancer, which could ultimately support the expansion of pel-areo-rep beyond metastatic breast cancer into first-line therapy.”  +++++  Well that wraps up another episode of Biotechnology Focus radio. Thanks for listening! Make sure to check out the articles on the website: biotechnologyfocus.ca. Until the next time, from my desk to yours – this is Michelle Currie.

  Welcome to another episode of Biotechnology focus radio! I am your host – Michelle Currie – here to give you the rundown on what is happening in the life sciences sector from coast to coast. This week brought new collaborations, new cohorts, and new research. Keep listening to find out more!  +++++  As regenerative medicine grows around the world, topping a whopping $36-billion annually and only expected to rise, it comes as no surprise that more and more international collaborations are happening – especially within Canada.  CCRM and the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine (JSRM) liaise to advance the field of regenerative medicine (RM) and cell and gene therapies in Canada and Japan, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this week at the Annual Meeting of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) in Kyoto, Japan.  Michael May, president and CEO, CCRM says that CCRM’s mission is to generate sustainable health and economic benefits through global collaboration in cell and gene therapy, and regenerative medicine. CCRM is catalyzing a global network of highly integrated commercialization centres working together to enable viable and cost-effective patient access to revolutionary new treatments. The Memorandum of Understanding with Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, through its vast research network and industry-enabling activities, is a positive step in that direction.”  The Memorandum of Understanding has been put in place to promote academic and industry partnership in Japan, Canada and internationally to advance the field of regenerative medicine and cell and gene therapies. This will include supporting knowledge translation about technologies, policies (e.g., regulatory and health economics), legal and ethical issues.  Prof. Sawa, president of Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine.  Says that “There are many obstacles to establish a sustainable business model for regenerative medicine in Japan, as it requires a whole new value chain. Canada’s CCRM has been fostering and promoting a successful commercialization model since its launch. JSRM is proud to announce that we have entered into a partnership with CCRM to develop sound industrialization pathways, learning from CCRM’s excellent model to make regenerative medicine an available treatment worldwide.”  Regenerative medicine – that can be a bit of an umbrella term – includes cell and gene therapy, stem cells, biomaterials, molecules and genetic modification to repair, regenerate or replace diseased cells, tissues and organs. This approach is disrupting the traditional biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries with the promise of revolutionary new cures for devastating and costly conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.  This sector represents so many potential untapped possibilities. Forecasted to grow to US$49.41-billion by 2021, there were 977 clinical trials in cell, gene and tissue therapy underway worldwide at the close of the second quarter of 2018. The sector achieved the first global approvals and reimbursements for major cellular immunotherapies and gene therapies in 2017, that resulted in record-breaking investment and acquisitions in the sector. This field encapsulates the phrase “the world is truly their oyster”.  +++++  The Centre for Drug Research and Development, Canada’s national life sciences venture, announces the first cohort of the CDRD Academy’s Executive Institute.  Earlier this year, CDRD and Pfizer Canada announced the launch of the Executive Institute under the umbrella of The CDRD Academy. The Institute is a 10-month, focused executive development program open to a limited number of senior-level life sciences professionals annually. It was made possible by a $1M contribution by Pfizer Canada.  After reviewing dozens of applications from across Canada, the Adjudication Committee has selected a cohort of diverse, talented, and forward-thinking individuals that is gender balanced, and represents a variety of personal and professional backgrounds. The following individuals have been accepted into the inaugural 2018-2019 class:  Naveed Aziz, Chief Administrative and Scientific Officer, CGEN – Canada’s Genomic Enterprise, Toronto, ON  Deanna Dryhurst, Chief Scientific Officer, ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd., Victoria, BC  Alexander Graves, Chief Executive Officer, Symvivo Corporation, Vancouver, BC  Allison Gaw, Senior Director, Corporate Development and Intellectual Property, Sierra Oncology, Vancouver, BC  Nataša Jovic, Senior Director, Personal Health, Microbiome Insights, Vancouver, BC  Andrew Knowles, Senior Vice President, Operations, STEMCELL Technologies, Vancouver, BC  Frédéric Leduc, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Immune Biosolutions, Sherbrooke, QC  Stephanie Michaud, President and Chief Executive Officer, BioCanRx, Ottawa, ON  Carolyn Nalder, Director of Business Operations, Tevosol, Edmonton, AB  Frederic Ors, Chief Executive Officer, IMV, Quebec City, QC  Chris Sinclair, Vice President, Global Commercial Operations, Emergent BioSolutions, Winnipeg, MB  Kimberly Stephens, Chief Financial Officer, Appili Therapeutics Inc., Halifax, NS  Carol Stiff, Senior Director, Sales and Marketing, Santen Canada, Toronto, ON  Jefferson Tea, Vice President, Medical and Scientific Affairs, Takeda Canada Inc., Oakville, ON.  Gordon C. McCauley, president and CEO of CDRD  says that “The core of any business is people and supporting and growing our pool of highly-qualified personnel is critical to drive Canada’s health sciences sector. Through the CDRD Academy’s Post-Graduate and Undergraduate Institutes, we have seen tremendous success over the past 10 years in helping high-potential scientists be more commercially minded. But, with the addition of the Executive Institute to the CDRD Academy, we are now extending our work to also help high-potential business people lead Canada’s science-based businesses of tomorrow; and ensure Canada has the management talent it needs to lead the life sciences world.”  The CDRD Executive Institute program is delivered in collaboration with the not-for-profit Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). The program has been custom-designed and aims to combine researched and proven best practices/principles with targeted industry topics to take participants on a leadership journey. It will blend in-depth assessments, workshops, simulations, challenging assignments and executive coaching.  John Helou, president, Pfizer Canada says that ‘’The CDRD Executive Institute is off to a very strong start. The first cohort of life science executives exemplifies the type of leaders needed for the industry to reach its full potential. We are pleased to help meet the development needs expressed by life sciences industry stakeholders across the country, and to be able to count on the leadership of CDRD to implement concrete measures that will increase the innovative skill level of this vital industry. We are confident that the tailored training and coaching will contribute to the success of many life science organizations in Canada, which is critical for the development of new treatments for unmet medical needs’’.  This course offers a unique opportunity that will further the life sciences community within Canada and potentially bring the sector and consequently, the economy to new heights. The first face-to-face session will happen in Vancouver September 12-13, 2018, with additional workshops to be held in Montreal and Toronto throughout the Winter and Spring 2019.  +++++  Concordia synthetic biology researchers develop a method to fight disease at a genetic level that may revolutionize patient care.  Steve Shih, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering in Concordia University’s Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science and with a cross-appointment in biology, is also the founder of the Shih Microfluidics Laboratory.  His team created a system that integrates the automation of complex biology experiments in order to find genes that are related to cancer and kill them before they develop into a potentially fatal disease.  The system is described in a paper published last July by the journal Lab on a Chip.  Shih says that “Finding genes related to cancer is already very difficult. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack, especially with current methods. But hopefully, with this new method, we can expedite the whole process and rapidly find the culprit genes.”  However, finding the genes is one thing. Preventing them from causing cancer is another.  To do that, Shih’s team uses CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) a genetic engineering technique that uses a Cas9 protein (essentially a pair of ‘programmed genetic scissors’) to find a cancer-causing gene and essentially snip it out of the DNA and replace it with a healthier one.  Shih says that “Once both ends of the gene are snipped, it degrades to the point where we won’t have it anymore. Now that gene won’t be able to go through pathways that cause cancer. To be able to do that on a typical platform is very difficult, because we’re dealing with very static, very manual techniques.  “By doing this in an automated way, and by also miniaturizing the scale which we’re working on, we’re able to expedite the whole process. Instead of looking at this process as a matter of weeks, we can look at it in a matter of days.”  The paper’s authors — Hugo Sinha, Angela Quach, Philippe Vo and Shih, all affiliated with Concordia’s Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology — created the first digital microfluidic method that automated arrayed gene editing in mammalian cells.  This involves using tiny amounts of fluid to culture lung cancer cells for up to six days, while at the same time automating gene transfection and knockout procedures.  The whole automation and miniaturization process that they have developed has not only saved them heaps of time, but it has also slightly augmented the efficiency of the knockout procedure itself.  The mission to eradicate cancer has been a personal aspect for Shih, and he believes his work will have direct material benefits for people diagnosed with cancer.  He hopes his project will contribute to the development of personalized platforms for treatment based on their genetic makeup. That platform would be easily transferable and can be set up in any kind of lab or hospital.  In fact, Sinha started a company called DropGenie that will create gene-editing platforms that can bring this idea to realisation.  Despite CRISPR being controversial, Shih believes that only now researchers are reaping its benefits.  He adds that “There still isn’t a killer application for microfluidics, but I think we’ve found it. I think we found that we can use these miniaturized platforms for something that can really save people’s lives down the line. That’s why I say it can be a killer app because hopefully, we’ll be able to eventually kill all cancer cells.”  +++++   Researchers from the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC) at UHN suggest that the model used by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) significantly underestimates mortality in specialized heart surgery centres. The study’s findings show that CIHI’s model does not encapsulate all the medical problems that patients have when at elevated risk for surgery.  The study, looked at the outcomes of 1,635 cardiac operations performed at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre between 2013 and 2016. It compared the observed mortality within 30 days of surgery to the predicted mortality rates estimated with either the CIHI administrative data model or the clinical data model used by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).  Of the 1,635 patients that had heart surgery at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, 32 died within 30 days of surgery. These results were in line with the 1.96 per cent mortality predicted by Society of Thoracic Surgeons model – which uses comprehensive data to describe how sick patients are before surgery – for this group of patients. In contrast, the CIHI Cardiac Care Quality Indicator estimated that the mortality rate for these 1,635 patients would be 1.03 per cent.  Peter Munk Cardiac Centre researchers noted that the Society of Thoracic Surgeons model captures seven medical conditions that predict worse outcomes after heart surgery that are not captured in the CIHI model.  These risk factors include whether the patient had heart failure, an abnormal heart rhythm, a recent heart attack, very low blood pressure (shock), needed recent CPR or a mechanical heart pump to live, or had kidney failure. These serious conditions forecast a worse outcome after heart surgery, and are not included in the CIHI database.  Dr. Barry Rubin, medical director of the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and one of the authors of the study  says that “The predicted mortality of patients undergoing heart surgery based on the Society of Thoracic Surgeons model is similar to what we actually observed,” says. “The failure to include these seven medical conditions causes the CIHI database to underestimate predicted mortality after heart surgery in high risk patients.”  According to Dr. Douglas Lee, senior scientist at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and lead author of the study, mortality prediction models – either based on clinical or administrative data – use risk adjustment to account for how sick patients are before surgery at different hospitals. This is necessary as outcomes may vary if leading academic institutions such as the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre operate on sicker patients.  Dr. Lee says that “The CIHI and Society of Thoracic Surgeons models aim to predict outcomes based on the medical complexity and acuity of the patient. In general, academic hospitals take on higher risk cases compared to community hospitals, and good risk adjustment models should factor that in when predicting mortality rates,” explains Dr. Lee.  Incorrect data may lend the impression that there is a higher level of mortality then there should be at the PMCC or other academic centres. This could have the inadvertent effect of causing the highest risk surgery patients to defer potentially-life saving heart surgeries.  CIHI has a legislative mandate to publicly release Cardiac Care Quality Indicator data and has done so since October 2017. Clinicians and researchers have been concerned that the CIHI model may underestimate how sick cardiovascular surgery patients are at Peter Munk Cardiac Centre.  Incorrect data may lend the impression that there is a higher level of mortality then there should be at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre or other academic centres. This could have the inadvertent effect of causing the highest risk surgery patients to defer potentially-life saving heart surgeries.  The Society of Thoracic Surgeons model considers vital medical conditions to accurately predict how high-risk patients will do after surgery. The CIHI model does not accurately account for complexity of patients, which is recorded in databases specifically designed for the measurement of surgical quality, such as Society of Thoracic Surgeons.  Dr Rubin says that “Clinical data-based models like the Society of Thoracic Surgeons collect much more detailed patient information, but are also more costly to maintain. “Administrative models like CIHI’s continue to play a very important role in assessing quality of care across Canada. We will continue to work in collaboration with CIHI to improve the accuracy of quality report cards that can be used as valid evaluation tools for Canadian hospitals.”  The authors caution that there are limitations to the study, as it was completed in a single centre during a three-year period, observing 1,341 isolated coronary bypass grafts, 143 isolated aortic valve replacements and 151 combined procedures. PMCC researchers declared there were no conflict of interests but would suggest validation of these findings in other academic centres over a longer time interval that would include a larger subset of cardiac operations. This study was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.  +++++  Well that wraps up another episode of Biotechnology Focus radio. Thanks for listening! If you have any questions or comments, please email us at press@promotivemedia.ca . From my desk to yours – this is Michelle Currie.

Doree and Matt discuss her call with the doctor at CCRM and Matt explains how Doree could have done a better job selling him on it. We also hear from listeners about the email from Dr. Anonymous and whether Brits like Austin Powers (anecdotal evidence says yes).To support us on Patreon, visit patreon.com/eggcellentadventure. To learn more, visit eggcellentadventure.com.This episode is sponsored by:Stitcher Premium. Go to stitcherpremium.com and use promo code EGGCELLENT for a free month of Stitcher Premium.Kneipp. For 15% off your first order, go to Kneipp.com and use promo code ADVENTURE at checkout.Care.com. To save 30% on a Care.com premium membership, visit Care.com/ADVENTURE and subscribe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

  Welcome back to another episode of Biotechnology Focus radio! I am your host – Michelle Currie – here to give you the rundown on the Canadian biotech scene. So, as many of you know, we are coming up to a very busy and exciting time of the year, as BIO is just around the corner! And this isn’t just any regular BIO, this year marks the 25th anniversary in its inaugural location – Boston. It’s four days chalked full of keynotes, receptions and networking opportunities that will leave you trying to catch your breath at the end of the week. But if that doesn’t take your breath away, perhaps the performance by Diana Ross might at the largest BIO event of the year!  But bringing the focus back to Canada, a lot has been going on in the last few weeks that is worth mentioning. Keep listening to find out!  +++++  In a world where artificial intelligence has begun to incorporate itself in everything from life sciences to cars, it should come as no surprise that South Korean tech giant, Samsung, is jumping in with both feet opening AI Centres around the globe, one of which just opened in Canada’s most bustling city – Toronto.  The opening of the Toronto AI Centre comes on the heels of the company’s global announcement of two additional and newly established AI Centres in Cambridge, UK and Moscow, Russia as part of a new venture to tap into and contribute to the booming AI industry. The Toronto Centre will work in partnership with the company’s Silicon Valley team to pioneer AI research and development for the region.  Toronto has a rich history of innovation and discovery and is an ideal location for a vast amount of companies to call home. With access to key talent, Toronto is an idyllic place for research and development for speech recognition, where machine-learning technology was applied many years before it was widely applied to other fields. The vision is that the Samsung AI Centre will now serve a significant role in the advancement of AI with a focus on language understanding and computer vision technologies that will ultimately reduce the friction between the user and the device/service, whether it be mobile phones, TVs, appliances, or cars.  Located in Toronto’s downtown core at MaRS Discovery District, the new Samsung AI Centre is a part of a network of research Centres dedicated to research and development in the field of AI. The Centre is the second Samsung AI Centre to be established in North America, with the other in Mountain View, California. The North America AI Centres are led by senior vice president, Dr. Larry Heck, a renowned expert in machine learning for spoken and text language processing, who also co-leads the expansion of Samsung’s AI Centres around the globe.  The Toronto centre will be led by Dr. Sven Dickinson, newly appointed as the head of the Toronto lab, professor on leave and past chair of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto. Dickinson is an expert in computer vision technologies, especially in the field of object recognition. He will play an integral part in Samsung’s research of core AI technologies that entail language, vision and other multi-modal interactions.  As one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs, MaRS Discovery district supports promising innovators and ventures tackling key challenges in the sectors of cleantech, finance & commerce, and work & learning. In addition, and importantly, the vast MaRS community fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration which drives breakthrough discoveries and new solution for global audiences.  This announcement compliments earlier 2018 news of plans to launch additional AI centres in North America. Dr. Darin Graham will lead the opening of new labs in Canada as the head of Samsung’s Canadian AI Operations. Graham also helped create the Vector Institute – the renowned Canadian AI research institute, as a member of the founding team. The opening of AI centres in Canada will allow Samsung to expand its outpost for industry collaboration and talent recruitment in the major AI hubs in North America.  To date, Samsung has had remarkable success in leveraging Canada’s unique R&D talents for global impact. The Company’s Vancouver-based R&D centre has contributed to many in-market innovations and more than doubled its workforce, since opening with over 100 employees. With the addition of the AI centre in Toronto, the company plans to increase the R&D in Canada from current 100 to 200 in the near future. Additional developments and talent in Canada have been recognized through Samsung Electronics Canada subsidiaries, AdGear Technologies Inc. in Montreal and SigMast Communications Inc. in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  +++++  When it comes to what drugs get funded, how do provinces and the Canadian health care system decide which drugs to fund and which drugs not to? A team of University of Alberta researchers found that when a jury is made up of a cross-section of society and given proper information and context, people are willing to fund drugs and treatments for costly ultra-rare diseases, even at the expense of treatments for larger populations.  An example would be a rare genetic disorder that robs men of sight by the age of 40. It affects one person in 50,000 and does not yet have a cure. But it does have a very expensive, unproven gene therapy that holds the promise of delaying the inevitable.  Tania Stafinski, a researcher in the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health and director of the Health Technology and Policy Unity says, “The fallacy is that these kinds of decisions are based on the greatest good for the greatest number. It’s partly greatest need, partly what the gain looks like, partly the severity of the disease and partly the population affected. It is an interaction of all these things, but not whether it is utilitarian.”  To better understand the social values around spending on new technologies and commercially undeveloped “orphan drugs, Stafinski convened a pair of citizen juries that roughly matched the sociodemographic profile of people in and around Edmonton.  Just like in a legal setting, Stafinski called witnesses that represented government, health-care providers and patients, and led the juries through different trade-off exercises and scenarios. For the most part, specific drugs and technologies were avoided to rid the study of any bias and allow jurors to focus more on the characteristics of the people and what could be achieved.  The jury was put through seven trade-off exercises focusing on things that might matter to them, such as cost, the condition of the patient, what kind of technology is involved, how much improvement could be expected, and even caregiver burden.  Despite the stakes, uncertainties around whether the technology would be able to fully deliver on its claims didn’t play a significant role in decision-making. Even in cases, such as the gene therapy for vision disorder, where there was a risk the technology would fail, Stafinski found that jurors valued the information and innovation component of the research.  Final decisions on what technologies and drugs to fund are currently made by a provincial review committee, guided by a pan-Canadian evidence review process that leaves it up to the provinces to take into account social and ethical implications.  She says there are examples in the Canadian health-care system where a small gain for hundreds of thousands of people is implicitly sacrificed to give sufficient medical gains to a small group. One example is administering the flu vaccine—inhaled versus injected.  Stafinski explains that although a large segment of society may prefer to have the inhaled version of the flu vaccine, with a few exceptions, policy-makers aren’t spending the extra money for the inhaled vaccination, choosing instead to fund medications such as those that improve the quality of life for the 4,000 Canadians who suffer from cystic fibrosis.  +++++  A new study from The Ottawa Hospital is the first of its kind. The study suggests that treatment for erectile dysfunction coupled with a flu vaccine might be the solution to eradicating cancer cells after surgery. The study, published in OncoImmunology, shows that this unconventional strategy can reduce the spread of cancer by more than 90 percent in a mouse model. It is now being evaluated in a world-first clinical trial.  Senior author Dr. Rebecca Auer, surgical oncologist and head of cancer research at The Ottawa Hospital and associate professor at the University of Ottawa says, “Surgery is very effective in removing solid tumours. However, we’re now realizing that, tragically, surgery can also suppress the immune system in a way that makes it easier for any remaining cancer cells to persist and spread to other organs. Our research suggests that combining erectile dysfunction drugs with the flu vaccine may be able to block this phenomenon and help prevent cancer from coming back after surgery.”  The current study investigated sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and an inactivated influenza vaccine (Agriflu) in a mouse model that mimics the spread of cancer (metastasis) after surgery. The researchers evaluated these treatments by counting the number of metastases in mouse lungs. They found an average of:  37 metastases with cancer cells alone  129 metastases with cancer cells and surgery  24 metastases with cancer cells, surgery and one of the erectile dysfunction drugs  11 metastases with cancer cells, surgery, one of the erectile dysfunction drugs and the flu vaccine  Dr. Auer is now leading the first clinical trial in the world of an erectile dysfunction drug (tadalafil) and the flu vaccine in people with cancer. It will involve 24 patients at The Ottawa Hospital undergoing abdominal cancer surgery. This trial is designed to evaluate safety and look for changes in the immune system. If successful, larger trials could look at possible benefits to patients.  The researchers are excited about this research because it suggests that two safe and relatively inexpensive therapies may be able to solve a big problem in cancer. If confirmed in clinical trials, this could become the first therapy to address the immune problems caused by cancer surgery.  Using a variety of mouse and human models, Dr. Auer’s team has also made progress in understanding how erectile dysfunction drugs and the flu vaccine affect cancer after surgery. Normally, immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells play a significant role in killing metastatic cancer cells. But surgery causes another kind of immune cell, called a myeloid derived suppressor cell (MDSC), to block the NK cells. Dr. Auer’s team has found that erectile dysfunction drugs block these MDSCs, which allows the NK cells to do their job fighting cancer. The flu vaccine further stimulates the NK cells.  Dr. Auer stresses that although erectile dysfunction drugs and the flu vaccine are widely available, people with cancer should not self-medicate. Any changes in medication should be discussed with an oncologist.  +++++  Some of the hottest areas in biotech that are emerging and driving growth and investment are in the field of regenerative medicine and cell and gene therapy. There have been several acquisitions over the past year that really got the ball rolling with hopes to advance immunotherapies. Despite the curative potential, these therapies come with a hefty price tag and complex challenges. With the first immunotherapies to win regulatory approval in the United States, CCRM, a leader in developing and commercializing cell and gene therapies and regenerative medicine technologies, hosted a panel to discuss how we can bring these therapies to Canada.  The panel represented a wealth of knowledge covering regulatory and hands on approaches to the subject. It was moderated by Michael May, president and CEO of CCRM, and consisted of Donna Wall, MD, section head, Blood and Marrow Transplant/Cell Therapy Program, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids); Justin Shakespeare, executive director, Oncology Business Unit, Amgen; Patrick Bedford, senior manager, Clinical Translation and Regulatory Affairs, CCRM; and Aaron Dulgar-Tulloch, PhD, director of Bridge, GE Healthcare Cell Therapy.  There have been many decades of work in people trying variations of immunotherapy approaches and not getting a clinical signal. It was after researchers figured out T-cell biology and that they needed to bring not only the patients’ T-cells right up against the tumour cell but also that they had to get the T-cell excited and activated to go into cell division.  Donna Wall explains, “The first successful patient was only about six years ago. No question that the treatment can cure, as long as you take six years as to how long to treat a number of patients who otherwise have untreatable leukemia. That’s the first type of patients that we have when we have a new treatment. We take the patients where we have nothing else to offer. A number of patients do not make it to the treatment because it takes a while to engineer the cells; a number of patients may not have a response to the treatment; and a number of them who go into remission may end up relapsing. But for the first time, there are many who are responding positively to treatment and are not showing signs of leukemia.”  This is still in a very early-stage as of yet. It is not a one-and-done type of treatment. In order for this to work, the most common CAR-T product removes the cancer cells as well as the patient’s B-cells lifelong – giving them an immune deficiency. It is complex and comes with its own set of issues that may put up to 40 per cent of patients into intensive care for side effects of the CAR-T treatment. The treatment should not be taken lightly and will not be handed out over the counter.  The cost of the treatment is another factor entirely. Like anything new, cost is initially high but is expected to come down over time. It is a huge cost for a company to invest in and build the infrastructure that needs to be actualised as well as looking at regulatory costs. If the treatment becomes more mainstream, its costs pose another issue, as the health care system has not been designed to handle a large influx of big-ticket cases.  Patrick Bedford, CCRM, states, “There’s value in when you want to pay for something, but can you actually pay for it today is the real question. The number of drugs over $50,000 since a decade ago has gone from two to 20, and the drugs targeting orphan or rare diseases has all skyrocketed. There might not be a lot of people in each of these disease populations, but there are a lot of disease populations. So, the idea of affordability is really important. There are some new discussions right now about how to pay for these, like money back, or paying for performance type things, or rather than paying it all at once, pay three, four years later. There are a lot of ideas right now about how to afford the population if we choose they are worth the value to pay for.”  These are living drugs and therapeutics that have a very complex process on the manufacturing side as well as the rest of the supply chain. Each treatment batch is tailored to the patient. Many treatments start as autologous, but there are groups that are currently working on making this into more of an allogeneic process.  Aaron Dulgar-Tulloch explains, “Everyone wants to go from autologous to an allogeneic model. Every commercial entity would prefer to be in that allogeneic scenario because it is much better realised, there’s simplification in the supply chain, logistics, and the scale of benefits. We’re already starting to see groups trying to turn autologous into an allogeneic process. I think we will see more groups coming in with successful approaches to a more allogeneic or classical model.”  However, the playing field is changing as more treatments are reaching approval on a shorter timeline and with less clinical data. Even though much of that data presented to the regulators have been enormously successful, it is not typically a fast-moving field. This leaves the regulators to navigate through the treatments and do so in a receptive and responsible manner.  Since these therapies are still so new right now, it has put a particular strain, even on a global scale, to find individuals with expertise in scale up and industrial manufacturing coupled with biological cellular experience.  Dulgar-Tulloch explains that Canada in particular is feeling the pain from that, in that they don’t have a lot of the manufacturing infrastructure in Canada to pull from, and what Canada has is still heavily engaged in the bioprocess space.   CCRM has a centre devoted to improving the cell manufacturing process and is attracting international attention from companies who are looking for CCRM and GE’s expertise in process development. This work also feeds into the Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) facility that CCRM is building that provides space for therapeutics companies to run phase I and II clinical trials.  What it all boils down to when it comes to markets like Canada, is that timing is often regulatory-driven and balancing considerations as to where manufacturing is and how to support the local market, with timing as an implication on the pricing perspective. Canada needs to leverage its strengths on the clinical side so that we extract value from manufacturing and ultimately deliver these products to patients for commercialization.  +++++  Well that wraps up another episode of Biotechnology Focus radio! As always, we have all the stories online and in full to fish through at your leisure at biotechnologyfocus.ca. If you have a story idea or wish to make a comment, please email me at press@promotivemedia.ca. But until the next time, enjoy the spring weather and for those attending the BIO International Convention this year, good luck and enjoy! From my desk to yours – this is Michelle Currie.     

And, that was Dr. Christopher Gemmiti, a regenerative medicine professional, making a pitch before a panel of judges, for his company RedactBio. This was during the Perfect Pitch competition held at the recent Toronto conference The Business of Regenerative Medicine. The conference was a three day event organized by the Commercialization Centre for Regenerative Medicine. Even at the best of days, making a pitch before potential funders can be a daunting, if not un nerving task for any entrepreneur in any industry. But, is there a secret formula for making the perfect pitch? We talked to Michael May, chief executive officer of the CCRM.   I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Biotechnology Focus Podcast.

Coming up on Biotechnology Focus Radio: The launch of a new Canadian Regenerative Medicine Alliance, Canada’s House of Commons passes the Genetic Discrimination Act Bill S-201, and a One-Two Punch that May Floor the Worst Infections by stopping antibiotic drug resistance. Welcome to another episode of Biotechnology Focus Radio. I’m your host Shawn Lawrence, here to give you a rundown of this week’s top stories on the Canadian biotech scene. Our first story this week takes us to Toronto, where Antibe Therapeutics Inc. reports it has signed an exclusive licensing and distribution agreement with a pharmaceutical company, Laboratories Acbel SA (Acbel), for its lead product ATB-346. ATB-346 is an anti-inflammatory drug, designed to spare the gastrointestinal tract of the ulcers and bleeding normally associated with NSAIDs. The agreement covers distribution in Greece, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Algeria and Jordan. Antibe will receive an upfront, non-dilutive payment of $1.1 million, and is entitled to receive a 5 per cent royalty on net sales of ATB-346 in these countries. The agreement has a 30-year term with contemplated renewals thereafter. Acbel, through its affiliates and partners, is the largest seller of naproxen in this region, which represents approximately one per cent of the global market for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The global market for NSAIDs is in excess of US$12 billion (Evaluate Pharma). In a recent Phase 2 clinical trial, ATB-346 was found to be highly effective in reducing the pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. Antibe says it will now initiate two larger Phase 2 double-blind trials: a placebo-controlled dose-ranging study to determine the go-to-market dose, and an active comparator trial to demonstrate superior GI safety. Antibe also has two other therapeutic candidates in development: ATB-352 and ATB-340. ATB-352 is a non-addictive analgesic for treating severe acute pain and ATB-340 is a GI-safe derivative of aspirin. Antibe intends to leverage data across its programs to secure licensing agreements whenever possible. In regulatory news Canada’s House of Commons has passed Bill S-201 (An Act to Prohibit and Prevent Genetic Discrimination in Canada), as it was presented, by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Wednesday March 8, 2017. According to Bev Heim-Myers, chair of the Coalition for Genetic Fairness and CEO of the Huntington Society of Canada (HSC), while the Bill will still have to go to the Senate, all indications point to it being fully supported. Heim-Myers adds that Canada has finally caught up to other western jurisdictions in regards to protection of genetic information and Canadian legislation has caught up to science. Since the Genome Project was launched in the early 1990s, Canada had been the only G7 country that had not taken steps to prevent genetic discrimination. With this decision, this changes. Qu Biologics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSIs) that aim to “reboot” the body’s innate immune system, has reported positive genetic analyses of their recently completed Phase 2 clinical studies in Crohn’s Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). These findings suggest that, for the first time in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), personalized medicine and the application of genetic testing may identify patients highly likely to respond and go into remission with treatment. The analyses identified common IBD-related genotypes with a high likelihood of response to SSI, suggesting that genetic testing may identify a large subset of CD patients (representing approximately 60% of the CD population) with a greater than 80% likelihood of responding to QBECO treatment, the large majority of which achieved remission on SSI treatment. Dr. Hal Gunn, CEO of Qu Biologics, stated, “We are very excited about the possibility of identifying CD and UC patients highly likely to respond to SSI treatment, which would substantially de-risk future trials and be an important advance for patients who currently face the uncertainty of knowing whether current immunosuppressive IBD treatments, which can be associated with significant side effects, will work for them or not.” Dr. Shirin Kalyan, Qu’s Director of Scientific Innovation, added, “Unlike current IBD treatments that suppress immune function, we believe that SSIs, which restore innate immune function, treat the underlying cause of IBD. Consequently, unlike other treatments, we were able to identify IBD-related genotypes highly responsive to SSI therapy. It is exciting that the genotypes correlated with SSI response are highly relevant to SSIs’ mechanism of action.” Based on the promising results of Qu Biologics’ recently completed Phase 2 study in CD, a follow-on Phase 2 study in moderate to severe CD is planned to confirm these findings. Study initiation is anticipated in late 2017. If the genetic analysis results are confirmed in follow-on studies, Qu Biologics’ QBECO SSI has the potential to become first-line therapy for a majority of IBD patients. In funding news, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is providing TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario with up to $1.32 million to deliver on a new incubation program, called BURST, which will provide 30 innovative technology entrepreneurs in southwestern Ontario with mentoring and business guidance, seed funding, exposure to potential investors and access to a dedicated working space in Western University's Discovery Park. As entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses with help from this program, it is expected that up to 45 new full-time jobs will be created. Building on London's history of innovation in health sciences, a unique partnership with the London Medical Network will also be established to help eligible medical technology companies receive funding. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario. In Hamilton, ON, McMaster University researchers say they have found a new way to treat the world’s worst infectious diseases, the superbugs that are resistant to all known antibiotics. The McMaster team published their findings in the journal Nature Microbiology last week. Eric Brown, senior author of the paper, a professor of biochemistry and biomedical science at McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and a scientist of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for infectious Disease Research says his team looked for compounds that would mess with these antibiotic resistant bacteria, focusing on Gram-negative bacteria which are resistant to all antibiotics including last resort drugs, such as colistin, and lead to pneumonia, wound or surgical site and bloodstream infections, as well as meningitis in healthcare settings. Brown explains that Gram-negative bacteria have an intrinsically impenetrable outer shell that is a barrier to many otherwise effective antibiotics, and this makes these infections deadly, particularly in hospital settings. His team tested a collection of 1,440 off-patent drugs in search of one that might compromise that barrier in the superbugs. “These pathogens are really hard nuts to crack, but we found a molecule that shreds that shell and allows antibiotics to enter and be effective,” Brown said. The scientists discovered the antiprotozoal drug pentamidine disrupts the cell surface of Gram-negative bacteria, even the most resistant. The anti-fungal medication was particularly potent when used with antibiotics against multidrug resistant bacteria. Moreover, Pentamidine, when used with other antibiotics, was found to be particularly effective against two of the three pathogens which the WHO has identified as having the most critical priority for development of new antibiotics. Those were Acinetobacter baumannii and the enterobacteriaceae. The combo therapy also had some impact on the third most critical bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa according to Brown. Brown continued saying These discoveries were found to be effective in the lab and in mice, but more work is needed to offset potential side effects and ensure human safety. Brown adds that his lab is continuing to test more compounds as well. “One of the things we want to pursue further is why this is working so well,” he said. The study was supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Cystic Fibrosis Canada, among others. http://bit.ly/2m3hZq2   In our final story , a group of Canadian Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Leaders have announced that they are Joining Forces to Advance Canada’s Position in the Field, with the launch late last week of a new national group called the Regenerative Medicine Alliance of Canada. The founding members include: CCRM; The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD); CellCan; Medicine by Design; Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine; ThéCell; Canadian Stem Cell Foundation, and Stem Cell Network. The goal of this new Regenerative Medicine Alliance of Canada or (RMAC) will be to advance Canada’s stem cell science and regenerative medicine sector by aligning national activity in the field. Its members say they plan to work collaboratively to share information and identify strategies that will benefit the growth of Canada’s regenerative medice expertise. The initial concept for this alliance was conceived by members of the regenerative medicine community during a workshop on the state of regenerative medicine in Canada. The workshop was held by the Council of Canadian Academies in 2016. Their newly released report notes the importance of strategic coordination amongst the stem cell and regenerative medicine community. Bolstering and aligning programs, training, policy and communication will also be central themes addressed by RMAC. According to the Alliance, With the global market for regenerative medicine iexpected to exceed US$49 billion by 2021, the need to keep Canada well positioned to compete by moving its innovative treatments and therapies out of the lab and into the clinic has never been greater. Countries around the world, including the U.S., Japan and the U.K., have already taken bold steps through investment and regulatory modernization to capture a significant piece of the market. RMAC will serve as a mechanism to support strategic activity across the regenerative medicine sector in Canada. The RMAC will act voluntary organization comprised of national, provincial and regional organizations. All members have mandates relevant to stem cell research and/or regenerative medicine. Well that wraps up another episode of the Biotechnology Focus Podcast. We hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to let us know what you think, and we’re also always looking for story ideas and suggestions for future shows, and of course we’d love to hear from you as well, simply reach out to us via twitter @biotechfocus, or by email at the following email address press@promotivemedia.ca. And

Ahead on Biotechnology Focus Radio : Bellus Health back in the game with a new therapeutic asset, BC Cancer Agency scientists make two breakthrough discoveries, and RepliCel Life Sciences gets by with a little help from its friends. We have this and more in store for you on this week’s show. Welcome to another episode of Biotechnology Focus Radio. I’m your host Shawn Lawrence, here to give you a rundown of this week’s top stories on the Canadian biotech scene.   Our first story this week takes us to CALGARY, AB where a team of Canadian physicians and researchers are believed to be the first in the world to have used gene therapy to treat a patient with Fabry disease, a rare inherited enzyme deficiency that can damage major organs and shorten lifespan. Specifically, people with the disease have a gene called GLA that doesn’t function as it should; as a result their bodies are unable to make the correct version of a particular enzyme that breaks down a fat called Gb3. A buildup of Gb3 can lead to problems in the kidneys, heart and brain. In their experimental trial, the researchers led by Dr. Aneal Khan, a Alberta Health Services medical geneticist and member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary collected a quantity of a Fabry patient’s own blood stem cells then used a specially engineered virus to augment those cells with copies of the fully functional gene that is responsible for the enzyme. The altered stem cells were then transplanted back into the patient on Jan. 11, 2017. While Dr. Khan says it’s too soon to say whether this therapy will ultimately be a long-term treatment for the disease, based on the team’s success in animal trials, he is hopeful it will be a beneficial to patients Dr. Jeffrey Medin, a researcher with the Medical College of Wisconsin and the project’s principal investigator, adds that the trial is a major step forward in treating inherited genetic diseases in adults. The treatment, which has been approved by Health Canada for experimental purposes, is also believed to be the first trial in Canada to use a lentivirus in gene therapy. In this case, the specially modified virus was stripped of its disease-causing capability and augmented with a working copy of the gene that’s responsible for the missing enzyme. The project is being funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Kidney Foundation of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax and the University Health Network in Toronto are also recruiting people with Fabry disease for the trial. In R&D news, a team of BC Cancer Agency scientists has made two exciting drug discoveries that could potentially allow for new approaches to target various cancers more specifically, through the exploitation of mutations found only in cancer cells and not normal cells. The first discovery, which has already led to a clinical trial, exploits the inability of BRCA1/2 deficient cancers to repair their own DNA. The second discovery is of a drug-like molecule that can alter the way cells translate genetic information into proteins. Both discoveries were made by Dr. Sam Aparicio, head of the Department of Breast and Molecular Oncology, and his research team at the BC Cancer Agency.The first success in this area is a discovery published in Nature Communications, where Dr. Aparicio’s team has discovered that the drug, CX-5461, originally developed for cancers of the blood and lymph system, can be repurposed as a drug treatment for breast cancer. Still early in its clinical development life cycle, CX-5461 has been shown through Dr. Aparicio’s latest work, to bind to the DNA of certain regions of the genome causing it to fold up and interrupt the DNA copying process. Thus, the compound is selectively active in tumours from patients with mutations in the BRCA1/2 gene, known to cause a strong familial predisposition to breast cancer, and account for approximately 15 per cent of the population with the disease. The study is currently in Phase 1 of a multi-centre clinical trial coordinated by Canadian Cancer Trials Group, which began in June of 2016. Phase two will accept even more patients to determine whether the activity found through preclinical studies is reflected in responses in patients. Both Dr. Aparicio and Dr. Karen Gelmon, senior scientist, medical oncologist and the clinical trial lead for the study add that if the trial is successful, they then hope to expand testing to other types of cancer in the near future. In addition to the CX-5461 findings, a second paper published in Nature Communications communicates the discovery of a different prototype drug, a compound called ‘T3’, engineered to alter the way that cells translate DNA, through splicing of RNA, into proteins. According to the researchers, this small, yet highly-potent drug-like molecule, currently in lab-testing, is being used to understand how different breast cancer cells might be susceptible to having RNA splicing interrupted. The drug molecule interferes with the molecular machinery that stiches gene sequences together to make fully functional proteins. Mutations in RNA splicing genes and defects in splicing have been found in diverse cancers, including breast cancer. The prototype drug molecules are allowing Dr. Aparicio and his team to seek out situations where cancer cells are uniquely susceptible to interference with RNA splicing. As alluded to, both drug development studies are currently centered in breast cancer treatment, but hope to expand to other types, including prostate and ovarian. Dr. Aparicio and his team’s work was supported with strategic funding from the BC Cancer Foundation. In Business new, two European firms are teaming up with Vancouver based regenerative medicine company, RepliCel Life Sciences Inc.to assist RepliCel in getting its commercial-grade RCI-02 dermal injector prototypes manufactured and tested. One of the partnering firms, AMI, is an Austrian manufacturer of medical technology based near the shores of Lake Constance, within easy reach of Germany and Switzerland. AMI develops, manufactures and distributes their medical products throughout the world. All of them are made according to the highest quality standards and enable doctors to take even better care of their patients. The second partner, Art of Technology (AoT), is based in Zurich Switzerland and is an independent contract developer specializing in the design, development and miniaturization of complex customer specific electronic devices and embedded systems for use in industrial, medical and space applications. The RCI-02 injector itself was designed with input from dermatologists, industrial designers, and electronic and medical device engineers to improve the delivery of a variety of injectables in a controlled, precise manner, removing the risks and uncertainties of injection outcomes currently resulting from manually operated, single-needle syringes. According to RepliCel president and CEO, Lee Buckler, it is the world’s first motorized injection device with programmable depth and volume, a built-in Peltier element for pre-injection anaesthetising, and interchangeable needle head configurations. It is designed to deliver a variety of injectable substances including cells, dermal fillers, drugs or biologics intradermally (dermis), subcutaneously (fat) or intramuscularly (muscle) via an array of needle configurations ranging from a single needle to a 16 needle configuration (4×4) on one head. Buckler adds that the execution of these agreements covers what RepliCel believes to be the final stages needed to prepare RCI-02 for a market authorization application in the form of a CE mark in Europe. The company hopes to have the device ready for a CE mark application and in the hands of a licensing and commercial partner next year. Our next story takes us to the Maritime provinces where the Terry Fox Research Institute is investing $5-million in support of New Brunswick researchers and their colleagues at other cancer centres in Canada to study how new precision medicine tools could improve, and potentially save the lives of patients diagnosed with the incurable cancer of the blood and bone marrow, known as multiple myeloma. The initiative is known as the Multiple Myeloma Molecular Monitoring (M4) Study, and Dr. Tony Reiman, a medical oncologist and professor at the University of New Brunswick, will lead the team, which comprises researchers and clinicians at multiple sites including Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. Dr. Reiman says that he hopes the five-year study will result in game-changing new approaches to identifying, treating and monitoring the disease in patients, including those who are at high risk of relapse. His team in Saint John will organize all the participating centres as well as conduct its own research and receive and bank specimens (blood and marrow) from the 250 myeloma patients that will participate in the project. Additionally, M4 study team members will use tests based on advanced techniques like immunoglobulin gene sequencing, multiparameter flow cytometry, PET scans, circulating tumour DNA analysis, and novel drug resistance assays to evaluate the patient specimens and other biosamples. Principal investigators at the partner sites are: Drs. Donna Reece and Suzanne Trudel, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; Dr. Nizar Bahlis, University of Calgary; and Dr. François Bénard, BC Cancer Agency. Patients will be recruited by the study investigators at their own sites. Principal investigators Drs. Reece and Trudel (PM) explain their role in M4 study in the following audio. BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., a HACKENSACK, N.J.- based company developing adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, has signed an agreement with CCRM in the hopes of furthering its market authorization request for NurOwn®.  For our new listeners, CCRM is a Toronto-based company focused on developing and commercializing regenerative medicine technologies, specifically cell and gene therapies. Through the agreement, CCRM will help Brainstorm explore opportunities to access Health Canada’s early access pathway for treatment of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).  If NurOwn® qualifies for Health Canada’s “Notice of Compliance with Conditions” pathway, it could be authorized in Canada for distribution in early 2018. Through the agreement, the company will work Patrick Bedford, manager of clinical translation and regulatory affairs at CCRM. Stacey Johnson (@msstaceyerin) , director, communications and marketing at CCRM and editor of Signals Blog discussed this deal recently via her regular Right Turn column Be sure to check it out at http://www.signalsblog.ca/right-turn-new-stem-cell-product-for-als-seeking-approval-in-canada/. For our final story, nearly a year since it’s failed KIACTA™ Phase 3 trial and subsequently being forced into pulling the plug on its KIACTA program, BELLUS Health is back from the brink as the Montreal-based company announced a new partnership and licensing deal with The NEOMED Institute to take over the development and commercialization activities for a potential new treatment for chronic cough. According to Bellus stakeholders,, this is a transformative transaction as this exclusive worldwide license agreement adds to the company’s pipeline a potentially best-in-class drug candidate, BLU-5937, an asset which was formerly known as NEO5937.  Its development through  the P2X3 antagonist program was initiated by AstraZeneca scientists in Montreal, and assigned to NEOMED in October 2012 when the NEOMED Institute was first launched. It was selected as a drug candidate to advance towards the clinic based on development efforts and extensive pre-clinical work in chronic cough done at NEOMED. According to Roberto Bellini, president and CEO of the company, the drug now going by its new name BLU-5937  will be a core focus of BELLUS’s drug development efforts. About the condition, Chronic cough is a cough that lasts eight weeks or longer and significantly impacts quality of life, with significant social (exclusion, embarrassment, difficulty speaking), physical (sleep deprivation, rib fracture, vomiting) and psychosocial (anxiety, depression) repercussions. It is estimated that in the U.S. alone, more than 2.7 million patients suffer from chronic cough that is not controlled by currently available medications. How BLU-5937 works to treat it, is it acts on a clinically validated target in the chronic cough pathway, the P2X3 receptor. Both the company and NEOMED believe BLU-5937 has the potential to become a best-in-class treatment option because of its superior potency and selectivity for the P2X3 receptor. These properties suggest BLU-5937 will be effective and less likely to cause a problematic side effect seen with less-selective drugs: taste disturbances that are significant enough to affect drug compliance. Under the terms of the agreement, BELLUS Health will pay NEOMED an upfront fee of $3.2 million, consisting of $1.7 million in cash with $1.5 million worth of BELLUS Health common shares (Approximately 5,802,177 shares). NEOMED will also be entitled to receive a royalty on net sales-based revenues. Additionally, in lieu of milestone payments, a certain portion of all other revenues received by BELLUS Health from BLU-5937 will be shared with NEOMED according to a pre-established schedule whereby the shared revenue portion decreases as the program progresses in development. Well that wraps up another episode of the Biotechnology Focus Podcast. We hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to let us know what you think, and we’re also always looking for story ideas and suggestions for future shows, and of course we’d love to hear from you as well, simply reach out to us via twitter @biotechfocus, or by email at the following email address  press@promotivemedia.ca. And remember, you can also listen to past episodes online via our podcast portal at www.biotechnologyfocus.ca . For all of us here at Biotechnology Focus, thanks for listening

Zymeworks, ProMetic Life Sciences, Innovative Targeting Solutions all back in the news again; Saskatchewan researchers make a breakthrough on a devastating pig virus, and healthcare behemoth GE partners with STEMCELL Technologies.We have this and more on this week’s Biotechnology Focus Podcast! Welcome to Biotechnology Focus Podcast. I’m your host Shawn Lawrence. Story 1 We kick things off this week in the prairies, where in less than a year, University of Saskatchewan (U of S) scientists have developed and tested a prototype vaccine that could protect the North American swine industry from a virus that has killed more than eight million pigs and cost more than $400 million in lost income since 2013. The Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) hit the U.S. in 2013 and spread to Canada in 2014. It is a coronavirus, a virus group which includes important emerging human diseases such as SARS and MERS. It was first discovered in Europe, and has become increasingly problematic in Asian countries. Occurring only in pigs, PEDV can kill up to 100 per cent of infected piglets. Using its new containment Level 3 facility, the Universtiy of Saskatchewan Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) quickly launched a vaccine development project. The project has resulted in a prototype vaccine that protects 100 per cent of the piglets who have received it, according to  Dr. Volker Gerdts, VIDO-InterVac’s research director. The successful vaccine results have since triggered the interest of several animal health companies including Huvepharma, which has partnered with VIDO-InterVac to develop the technology for commercial production in North America. With the support of the swine industry, the vaccine is now undergoing field testing in Saskatchewan, as well as in Manitoba where it is being used to help protect piglets from a recent PEDV outbreak. VIDO-InterVac director Andrew Potter said such a project wouldn’t be possible without this facility, adding that “This is a perfect example of why InterVac was constructed – it is one of the only facilities available internationally with the capacity to conduct vaccine development and testing on this scale for emerging infectious diseases and It helps Canada remain prepared to quickly respond to outbreaks like this,” he said. The PEDV vaccine development project has been supported by a variety of funders including the Government of Saskatchewan (ADF), Sask Pork, and the Canadian Swine Health Network. Story 2 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Toronto’s Trillium Therapeutics Inc. the go-ahead to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial for its lead drug candidate, TTI-621 (SIRPaFc), in solid tumours and mycosis fungoides. Trillium is developing TTI-621 as a novel checkpoint inhibitor of the innate immune system, and the drug is currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1 dose escalation study in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies. Patient enrollment in the Phase 1 trial is anticipated to commence by year end. The trial will be multicenter and open-label, with TTI-621 being delivered to patients with relapsed and refractory, percutaneously-accessible cancers by intratumoral injection that increase in dose and dosing frequency to characterize safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and preliminary evidence of antitumour activity. In addition, detailed evaluation of serial, on-treatment tumor biopsies of both injected and non-injected cancer lesions will help characterize tumor microenvironment changes anticipated with CD47 blockade. Story 3 As part of its strategy to leverage and attract investor interest to Québec’s life sciences sector, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ has made a $15 million investment in Genesys Capital’s latest venture fund Genesys Ventures III. The fund itself will used to back companies at the seed-stage, considered by many in the industry the valley of death, to help these companies advance technologies and products for unmet medical needs. Genesys Capital is one of the largest Canadian-based venture capital firms exclusively focused on the life sciences industry. Of note, Knight Therapeutics Inc., a specialized biopharmaceutical company based in Montreal, QC is also committing $1 million to Canadian-based life sciences venture capital fund Genesys Ventures III LP. For Knight the investment is the eighth life sciences equity fund investment Knight has made to date, having committed over $125 million. In terms of the Genesys Ventures III fund, Genesys Capital says it has closed $90 million of its $125 million target for the fund, while Managing director Damian Lamb adds that the firm expects to reach its goal for Genesys Ventures III early next year. Should the fund reach this target, it would be the largest Genesys has raised in its 16-year history. Story 4 Zymeworks is back in the news this week as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its lead product ZW25 as a treatment for certain HER2-expressing cancers. ZW25 is a novel bi-specific antibody, developed using the company’s Azymetric™ platform, to target two different epitopes (bi-paratopic targeting) of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) proteinThe protein is known to be over-expressed on the surface of many tumour types, including certain breast, gastric, lung, and ovarian cancers. ZW25 will be evaluated in the clinic for safety as well as efficacy in patients with tumours with low to moderate levels of HER2 expression. The company anticipates it will begin a Phase 1 clinical trial for ZW25 in late August of this year. Additionally, last week  the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation to ZW25 and a second product, ZW33 for the treatment of ovarian cancer. ZW33 is a drug-conjugated version of ZW25 that is currently in development in preparation for an IND filing in early 2017. Orphan designation qualifies Zymeworks for a number of development incentives, including tax credits for clinical testing and marketing exclusivity for a period of seven years if ZW25 and/or ZW33 is approved for this indication. Story 5 The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), Thermo Fisher Scientific and Queen’s University are collaborating on a research study to help bring more targeted diagnosis and treatment to breast cancer patients in the future. The study, led by Dr. John Bartlett, director of OICR’s Transformative Pathology Program, and Dr. Harriet Feilotter, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen’s University, aims to identify mutations and copy number changes found in breast cancer samples and establish whether these abnormalities correlate with on-market drugs, available clinical trials or published studies. OICR-affiliated researchers and collaborators at Queen’s University and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre will process the same breast cancer samples to establish whether the results are reproducible at different sites. This study will also characterize more than 400 additional retrospective breast cancer samples supporting ongoing clinical research efforts of Dr. Bartlett’s team at OICR, which strives to improve the clinical management of the disease. Collaborators Drs. Martin Yaffe and Arun Seth at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre will provide laboratory space and additional technical support for the study. Dr. Yaffe is also co-leader of OICR’s Smarter Imaging and Imaging Translation Programs. The study will use Thermo Fisher’s Oncomine Comprehensive Assay, a targeted, next-generation sequencing (NGS) research tool that analyzes 143 genes relevant to cancer and which is the NGS assay used for the NCI-MATCH study in the United States. The data generated can be further studied with the Oncomine Knowledgebase Reporter, which is a curated set of published evidence that matches driver genetic variants with relevant information, such as on-market drugs, available clinical trials, or published studies. The findings of the OICR study will be used to assess the technology and could inform subsequent clinical trials. Drs. Feilotter and Bartlett have also engaged six laboratories in Ontario, including at Hamilton Health Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, Ottawa General Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Sudbury Health Science North and University Health Network to look at the robustness and reproducibility of the assay across different cancer samples. This collaboration could extend the findings of this study beyond breast cancer to other common cancers. Story 6 Vancouver’s Innovative Targeting Solutions has teamed up with yet another major life science company, this time striking a research collaboration deal with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen), through Johnson & Johnson Innovation.  The deal will allow Janssen to utilize Innovative Targeting Solutions' proprietary HuTARG™ research platform to discover antibody candidates useful for modulating immune responses in autoimmunity or cancer. The HuTARG™ protein engineering platform is able to engineer both T-cell receptors and fully human antibodies that bind major histocompatibility complex (MHC)/peptide complexes displaying fragments of intracellular proteins of interest.  Essentially, it allows researchers to generate and engineer fully human antibodies. The technology underlying the platform is based upon the natural process of V(D)J recombination, employed by the human immune system to produce a diverse repertoire of antibodies. Details of the collaboration including the specific targets, number of targets, and specific therapeutic indications have not yet been disclosed nor have financial details. In June, ITS announced a research collaboration with Merck, to utilize the HuTARG™ research platform to help identify and develop biologic therapeutic candidates directed towards targets that have historically been a challenge for biologic therapies, and just two weeks ago, ITS also partnered with another Vancouver-based company known for its own string of deals with pharma, Zymeworks. Other disclosed ITS collaborators include Novartis and Amgen. Story 7 A few months ago, Biotechnology Focus spoke with Phil Vanek (of GE Healthcare) and Michael May (of CCRM) about BridGE@CCRM, the centre they co-created at the MaRS West Towere to help accelerate the creation of cellular therapeutic tools. Now GE is taking another step in its mission to bring the right infrastructure to the global cell therapy industry, with another unique partnership here in Canada, signing an exclusive licensing agreement with Vancouver-based STEMCELL Technologies Inc., to develop and commercialize cGMP grade versions of STEMCELL’s T-Cell reagents for the isolation, activation, and culture of T-cells in clinical applications. Both parties say these reagents are critical tools in the development and manufacturing of cell and gene therapies intended for administration to patients. The following proprietary reagents from STEMCELL Technologies will be qualified as cGMP-grade materials and licensed by GE Healthcare:  ImmunoCult™ Human CD3/CD28 T-Cell Activator, ImmunoCult™ Human CD3/CD28/CD2 T-Cell Activator, EasySep™ Release Human CD3 Positive Selection Kit and the ImmunoCult™–XF T-Cell Expansion Medium. According to Allen Eaves, president and CEO of STEMCELL Technologies Inc. this partnership with GE will give STI customers the confidence of a path to the clinic with a suite of critical cGMP grade T-cell reagents as well as help the industry evolve and make these promising therapies, such as CAR-T cells and TCR-engineered T cells, a clinical reality. The agreement closely follows GE’s acquisition of Biosafe Group SA, as well as many other investments in the space to make available a turnkey, scalable, flexible manufacturing solution that will enable access to these critical therapies. With that we’ve come to the end of this week’s program. We hope you enjoyed it. A big thanks to our production manager Laskey Hart and the rest of the Biotechnology Focus team. You can find past episodes online at www.biotechnologyfocus.ca and we’re always looking for your feedback, story ideas and suggestions so we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out to us on twitter: @BiotechFocus  or by email biotechnology_focus@promotive.net. For all of us here at Biotechnology Focus, thank you for listening.

On this week’s show, a trip to the Middle proves successful for MaRS Innovation, a Boston jury rules against BC med tech company Neovasc, Genetically modified Salmon get the green light in Canada, and researchers uncover why the drug cetuximab works in some patients with colorectal cancer and not others.  

Dr. Debra Minjarez is a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist for the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine. She has been with CCRM since 2001, and she works with patients experiencing any number of fertility and reproductive issues. My wife and I visited her in early 2013 to discuss infertility treatments and grew to adore Dr. Minjarez...

Dr. Debra Minjarez is a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist for the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine. She has been with CCRM since 2001, and she works with patients experiencing any number of fertility and reproductive issues. My wife and I visited her in early 2013 to discuss infertility treatments and grew to adore Dr. Minjarez...